The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene polymorphism decreases the risk of childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.03140.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T06:40:16Z
• Authors: Rendrik F. Franco; Belinda P. Simões; Luiz G. Tone; Sérgio M. Gabellini; Marco A. Zago; Roberto P. Falcão
• Keywords: Heterozygote advantage; Acute lymphocytic leukemia

We have determined the prevalence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutations C677T and A1298C in 71 children ( 15 years) with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) control subjects. Odds ratio (OR) for ALL linked to MTHFR was 0·4 (95% CI 0·2–0·8); heterozygotes it 0·5 0·2–0·9) homozygotes 0·3 (95%CI 0·09–0·8). yielded an overall OR 1·3 CI: 0·7–2·6); 0·7–7·6) 2·8 0·5–15·6). In conclusion, a significant 2·4‐fold decreased risk developing childhood ALL, whereas did not significantly affect our population.