Polymorphisms in thymidylate synthase and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genes and the susceptibility to esophageal and stomach cancer with smoking.

Thymidylate synthetase (TS) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are major enzymes in the metabolism of folates, involved in DNA 'breaks', instability and hypomethylation. To investigate the possible relations between the TS 3'-UTR and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms and environmental factors impacting on risk of esophageal and stomach cancers, we conducted a case-control study in a high incidence region of China for these cancers. We recruited 138 esophageal and 155 stomach cancer cases, and 223 controls.

[A case-control study on the polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 1298A-->C and susceptibility of esophageal cancer].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase gene 1298A-->C (MTHFR 1298A-->C) and its susceptibility of esophageal cancer (EC).

Methods: We conducted a case-control study with 141 cases of EC and 228 population-based controls in Huaian city of Jiangsu province, China. Epidemiological data were collected, and DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was obtained from all of the subjects.

[Interactions between lifestyle, methylanetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and polymorphisms in thymidylate synthase gene with risk of stomach cancer].

Objective: To evaluate interactions between lifestyle, methylanetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) and polymorphisms in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the thymidylate synthase gene (TS) with reference to development of stomach cancer (SC).

Methods: We conducted a case-control study with 107 cases of SC and 200 population-based controls in Huaian city of Jiangsu province, China. TS genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction.