MTHFD1 G1958A, BHMT G742A, TC2 C776G and TC2 A67G polymorphisms and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma risk

Alterations in folate metabolism may contribute to the process of carcinogenesis by influencing DNA methylation and genomic stability. Polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes involved in this pathway may alter enzyme activity and consequently interfere in concentrations of homocysteine and S-adenosylmethionine that are important for DNA synthesis and cellular methylation reactions. The objectives were to investigate MTHFD1 G1958A, BHMT G742A, TC2 C776G and TC2 A67G polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism on head and neck cancer risk and the association between these polymorphisms with risk factors. Polymorphisms were investigated in 762 individuals (272 patients and 490 controls) by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and Real Time-PCR. Chi-square and Multiple logistic regression were used for the statistical analysis. Multiple logistic regression showed that tobacco and male gender were predictors for the disease ( P