Interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 polymorphisms in Tunisian patients with colorectal cancer and liver metastasis

Abstract

The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression is essential for an efficient immune response and for the regulation of cancer development and progression. This study analyzed the expression and genetic variation in IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 genes and the possible associations with colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). We examined IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA expression and three gene variants: IL-1β (rs1143627), IL-10 (rs1800872) and IL-6 (rs1800795), in 198 CRC, 65 CRLM patients and 230 controls. Carriers of the C/T genotype of IL-1β (rs1143627) have an increased risk of developing CRC and CRLM. T/T genotype carriers have a higher risk of CRLM incidence. For IL-10 (rs1800872), patients harboring the C/A genotype have a lower risk of CRC and CRLM occurrence. For IL-6 (rs1800795), the C/C genotype heightens the risk of CRLM development. Overall survival analysis showed that carriers of the C/T genotype of IL-1β (rs1143627) have a worse overall survival in CRC patients. It can be concluded that interleukin genetic variants can be used as biomarkers to detect and predict clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for CRC and CRLM.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• liver metastasis
• gene polymorphism
• interleukins