Genetic variations of interleukin-1 and -6 genes and risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between five interleukin-1 (IL-1) and -6 gene polymorphisms and risk of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2–3).MethodsThis case-control study investigates five common IL-1 and IL-6 gene polymorphisms in 131 women with CIN 2–3 and 209 controls by pyrosequencing and polymerase chain reaction. Associations between gene polymorphisms and risk of CIN 2–3 are analysed by univariate and multivariable models. Their combined effect on the risk of CIN is evaluated by haplotype analysis.ResultsIn a multivariable regression model IL1A −889 (odds ratio 0.3 [95% confidence interval 0.1–0.8], p = 0.01) and smoking (4.0 [1.7–9.1], p = 0.001) are independently associated with the risk of high grade CIN. Haplotype analysis does not reveal any high-risk combinations for the susceptibility of CIN.ConclusionThe single nucleotide polymorphism IL1A −889 is independently associated with risk of high grade CIN.

Research highlights
► IL-1 and -6 seem to play a key role in immune response and carcinogenesis.
► IL1A −889 is independently associated with the risk of high grade CIN.
► Evaluation of IL-1 SNPs could help to identify patients, who are at risk of high grade CIN.