Association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase rs1801133 Gene Polymorphism with Cancer Risk and Septin 9 Methylation in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies, with a high incidence and mortality worldwide. Methylated Septin 9 (mSEPT9) has been used clinically as an auxiliary tool for CRC screening. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 polymorphism with the risk of CRC and the methylation status of Septin 9 in CRC.

Methods: Information of 540 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CRC and with a physical examination were utilized to assess the association of the MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism with CRC and the methylation of SEPT9. MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The commercial Septin 9 Gene Methylation(mSEPT9) Detection Kit was used for plasma SEPT9 methylation analysis.

Results: Among 540 patients, 61.48% were men and the median age was 54.47 ± 13.14. 65.37% of all colorectal tumors developed in the rectum. 195 patients had negative mSEPT9 methylation, while 345 had positive results. 87 individuals with stage I, 90 with stage II, 287 with stage III, and 76 with stage IV colorectal cancer were included in the sample. The results demonstrated that the positivity rate and degree of methylation of mSEPT9 were remarkably higher in patients with more advanced TNM stages than in those with less advanced stages. The frequencies of the MTHFR rs1801133 CC genotype and allele C carriers in patients with CRC were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals (P = 0.006 and P = 0.001, respectively). The positivity rate of the mSEPT9 assay was significantly higher among the MTHFR rs1801133 TT genotype and allele T carriers than among the CC and allele C carriers respectively. The MTHFR rs1801133 TT genotype and allele T carriers were positively associated with the methylation of SEPT9 (OR = 3.320, 95% CI 1.485-7.424, P = 0.003 and OR = 1.783, 95% CI 1.056-3.010, P = 0.030, respectively).

Conclusion: In conclusion, individuals harboring the MTHFR rs1801133 CC genotype had a higher risk of CRC and the MTHFR rs1801133 TT carriers were more susceptible to Septin 9 gene methylation.