Cytokine genes polymorphisms of TNF, IFN-y and IL-12 as potential predictors in the onset of cervical disease associated with HR HPV infections

Abstract

Cervical cancer highly correlates with infection caused by highly oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (high risk HPV, HR HPV), which is one of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens and is a key factor in the development of cervical disease. However, malignant transformation of cells and tumor development are multifactorial and result from the interaction of a large number of factors such as virus genotype and its oncogenic potential, the state of the infected cells, the immune response of the host, as well as many cofactors such as smoking, oral contraceptives, multiparity, early beginning of sexual life, promiscuity, poor socio-economic conditions, poor diet, etc. Recently, an increasing number of studies have focused on examining the role of genetic basis of the pathogenesis and evolution of HR HPV cervical disease. It is known that genes polymorphisms that encode proteins involved in the functioning of Th1 and Th17 cell response may be associated with better or worse prognosis of cervical disease in women with persistent HR HPV infection. Therefore, the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the genes encoding TNF, IFN-y and IL-12 can be considered as putative biomarkers that may have predictive value for the development of the HR HPV cervical carcinoma.

Keywords

• cervical cancer
• HR HPV
• gene polymorphism
• TNF
• IFN-y and IL-12