MTR polymorphic variant A2756G and retinoblastoma risk in Brazilian children

Background Polymorphisms in the genes of folate and methionine metabolism enzymes have been associated with some forms of cancer by affecting DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation. Procedure A case–control study of 72 retinoblastoma cases and 98 cancer‐free children controls was performed to investigate whether the polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C), methionine synthase (MTR A2756G), carrier of reduced folate 1 (RFC‐1 A80G) and thymidylate synthase (TYMS 2R > 3R) altered the risk for retinoblastoma. Results MTR A2756G AG plus GG genotype frequencies were higher in patients than in controls (45% vs. 26%, P = 0.03). Individual carriers of the variant allele G had a 2.02 (95% CI: 1.05–3.92)‐fold increased risk for retinoblastoma. In contrast, no association was observed with respect to MTHFR C677T and A1298C, RFC A80G, and TYMS polymorphisms. Conclusions This study presents evidence for an association between the MTR A2756G polymorphism and retinoblastoma susceptibility in a Northeast population from Brazil. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:904–908 © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.