Case Control Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 28, 2014; 20(32): 11313-11320
Published online Aug 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i32.11313
Lower serum folate is associated with development and invasiveness of gastric cancer
Teng-Yu Lee, En-Pei Chiang, Yin-Ting Shih, Hsien-Yuan Lane, Jaw-Town Lin, Chun-Ying Wu
Teng-Yu Lee, Hsien-Yuan Lane, Chun-Ying Wu, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
Teng-Yu Lee, Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
Teng-Yu Lee, Chun-Ying Wu, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan
En-Pei Chiang, Yin-Ting Shih, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
En-Pei Chiang, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
Hsien-Yuan Lane, Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
Jaw-Town Lin, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
Chun-Ying Wu, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
Chun-Ying Wu, Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
Chun-Ying Wu, Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
Author contributions: Lee TY, Chiang EP and Wu CY designed this study; Shih YT and Chiang EP performed experimental studies; Lee TY, Lane HY and Wu CY collected and analyzed clinical data; Lin JT, Chiang EP and Wu CY provided executive support for this work; Lee TY and Wu CY wrote the manuscript; Chiang EP and Wu CY equally contributed to this study.
Supported by National Science Council, Executive Yuan, No. NSC-96-2314-B-075A-007, No. NSC100-2628-B005-002MY4, No. NSC101-2320-B-005-006-MY3 and No. NSC 101-2911-I​-005-301; and the ATU plan of the Ministry of Education, Taiwan
Correspondence to: Chun-Ying Wu, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan. chun@vghtc.gov.tw
Telephone: +886-4-23592525 Fax: +886-4-2374133
Received: January 23, 2014
Revised: March 26, 2014
Accepted: April 30, 2014
Published online: August 28, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Low folate status is involved in the development of gastric cancer, but the role of folate in invasiveness of gastric cancer remains unclear. In addition, although folate levels in blood may reflect the degree of folate depletion, an association between blood folate status and gastric cancer has not been established. In this case-control study, we found lower serum folate was significantly associated with gastric cancer development. Besides, in the patient cohort of gastric cancer, lower serum folate was significantly associated with invasive phenotypes such as serosal invasion, lymphatic invasion and liver metastasis. These findings warrant further study.