Folate and Its Impact on Cancer Risk

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Research has evaluated the potential impact of folate on cancer risk with conflicting findings. Studies have demonstrated increased risk, no effect, and decreased risk. This review summarizes findings of mixed results between folate intake, serum levels, gene polymorphisms, and cancer risk based on meta-analyses from the past five years.

Recent Finding

Low or deficient folate status is associated with increased risk of many cancers. Folic acid supplementation and higher serum levels are associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. Gene polymorphisms may impact risk in certain ethnic groups.

Summary

Folate has been studied extensively due to its role in methylation and nucleotide synthesis. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify optimal levels for nutrient remediation and risk reduction in those at risk, as well as elucidate the association between high intake, high serum levels, and prostate cancer risk. Future considerations for cancer risk may include gene interactions with nutrients and environmental factors.

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Most cited references 40

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Conclusions of a WHO Technical Consultation on folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Bruno de Benoist (2008)

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Alcohol, DNA Methylation, and Cancer

Marta Varela-Rey, Ashwin Woodhoo, María Luz Martínez-Chantar … (2013)

Cancer is one of the most significant diseases associated with chronic alcohol consumption, and chronic drinking is a strong risk factor for cancer, particularly of the upper aerodigestive tract, liver, colorectum, and breast. Several factors contribute to alcohol-induced cancer development (i.e., carcinogenesis), including the actions of acetaldehyde, the first and primary metabolite of ethanol, and oxidative stress. However, increasing evidence suggests that aberrant patterns of DNA methylation, an important epigenetic mechanism of transcriptional control, also could be part of the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to alcohol-induced cancer development. The effects of alcohol on global and local DNA methylation patterns likely are mediated by its ability to interfere with the availability of the principal biological methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), as well as pathways related to it. Several mechanisms may mediate the effects of alcohol on DNA methylation, including reduced folate levels and inhibition of key enzymes in one-carbon metabolism that ultimately lead to lower SAMe levels, as well as inhibition of activity and expression of enzymes involved in DNA methylation (i.e., DNA methyltransferases). Finally, variations (i.e., polymorphisms) of several genes involved in one-carbon metabolism also modulate the risk of alcohol-associated carcinogenesis.

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Is Open Access

Association of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with non-Hodgkin lymphoma susceptibility: Evidence from a meta-analysis

Jing He, Xiao‐Yu Liao, Jin-Hong Zhu … (2014)

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an important enzyme involved in folate metabolism and DNA synthesis. A number of studies have examined the association of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) susceptibility; however, the conclusions were contradictory. We searched available publications assessing the polymorphisms of MTHFR and NHL susceptibility from MEDLINE, EMBASE and CBM. Genotype-based mRNA expression analysis was performed using data from 270 individuals with three different ethnicities. Ultimately, a total of 7448 cases and 11146 controls from 25 studies were included for the C677T polymorphism, 6173 cases and 9725 controls from 19 studies for the A1298C polymorphism. Pooled results indicated that neither C677T nor A1298C polymorphism was associated with NHL susceptibility. However, C677T polymorphism showed a statistically significantly increased risk for Caucasians, but a decreased risk for Asians in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity. The same variants may confer increased susceptibility to develop follicular lymphoma (FL). Moreover, A1298C polymorphism was associated with increased NHL risk for Asians. This meta-analysis indicated that C677T polymorphism was associated with altered NHL susceptibility for Caucasians, Asians and FL. Increased NHL risk was also shown for A1298C among Asians. These findings warrant validation in large and well-designed prospective studies.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Carolyn Lammersfeld: (847)731-5814 , Carolyn.Lammersfeld@ctca-hope.com

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Curr Nutr Rep

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Curr Nutr Rep

Title: Current Nutrition Reports

Publisher: Springer US (New York )

ISSN (Electronic): 2161-3311

Publication date (Electronic): 11 August 2018

Publication date PMC-release: 11 August 2018

Publication date (Print): 2018

Volume: 7

Issue: 3

Pages: 70-84

Affiliations

[1 ]GRID grid.476875.f, Department of Nutrition, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, ; 1331 East Wyoming Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19124 USA

[2 ]RD, LLC 10645 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 200, Mailbox 122, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028 USA

[3 ]GRID grid.476875.f, Department of Nutrition, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, ; 14200 W. Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear, Arizona, 85338 USA

[4 ]GRID grid.476875.f, Department of Medicine and Science, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, ; 2610 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL 60099 USA

Article

Publisher ID: 237

DOI: 10.1007/s13668-018-0237-y

PMC ID: 6132377

PubMed ID: 30099693

SO-VID: c5d4c381-1888-4227-81e8-8b8a3e55cefc

License:

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

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ScienceOpen disciplines: Nutrition & Dietetics

Keywords: folate,cancer risk,folic acid,folate deficiency,folate supplementation,mthfr,shmt,serum folate

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ScienceOpen disciplines: Nutrition & Dietetics

Keywords: folate, cancer risk, folic acid, folate deficiency, folate supplementation, mthfr, shmt, serum folate

Folate and Its Impact on Cancer Risk

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Finding

Summary

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Karger: Nutrition and Dietetics

Most cited references 40

Conclusions of a WHO Technical Consultation on folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Alcohol, DNA Methylation, and Cancer

Association of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with non-Hodgkin lymphoma susceptibility: Evidence from a meta-analysis

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