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Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) play important roles in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. Moreover, recent studies have reported that a number of 3′-UTR polymorphisms potentially bind to specific microRNAs in a variety of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of four MTHFR polymorphisms, 2572C>A [rs4846049], 4869C>G [rs1537514], 5488C>T [rs3737967], and 6685T>C [rs4846048] with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Koreans. A total of 850 participants (450 CRC patients and 400 controls) were enrolled in the study. The genotyping of MTHFR 3′-UTR polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis or TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. We found that MTHFR 2572C>A, 4869C>G, and 5488C>T genotypes were substantially associated with CRC susceptibility. Of the potentially susceptible polymorphisms, MTHFR 2572C>A was associated with increased homocysteine and decreased folate levels in the plasma based on MTHFR 677CC. Our study provides the evidences for 3′-UTR variants in MTHFR gene as potential biomarkers for use in CRC prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections on submacular hemorrhage secondary to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Twenty-seven eyes from 27 polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy patients with submacular hemorrhage involving the fovea were included in the analyses. All patients were treated by anti-VEGF injection with an initial 3 loading injections by month, followed by an as-needed reinjection. Visual acuity, central macular thickness, submacular hemorrhage size, and the occurrence of vitreous hemorrhage were examined during a 12-month follow-up period. RESULTS: The mean number of injections administered over the course of 12 months was 3.59 ± 1.04. The size of submacular hemorrhages averaged 18.2 ± 13.8 mm2. The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity at baseline was 1.02 ± 0.51 (Snellen equivalent, 20/204) and improved significantly to 0.76 ± 0.48 (Snellen equivalent, 20/115) at 12 months (P [ .02). Mean central macular thickness decreased from 311.7 ± 124.5 mm at baseline to 246.8 ± 102.8 mm at 12 months (P[.01). At 12 months, visual acuity improved by 0.3 logMAR or more in 10 eyes (37%), stabilized (change between 0 and 0.3 logMAR) in 11 eyes (40.7%), and decreased by 0.3 logMAR or more in 6 eyes (22.2%). Three eyes (11.1%) were subjected to vitrectomy to clear a vitreous hemorrhage that occurred after anti-VEGF therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal anti-VEGF injection monotherapy may be a valuable therapeutic option in treating eyes with submacular hemorrhage associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]