Association of interleukin-6 genetic polymorphisms with risk of OSCC in Indian population

• We first demonstrate the IL-6 polymorphism in OSCC patients in Indian population.
• We obtained the SNP of IL-6 (-174) is increase the risk of OSCC.
• We also obtained the SNP of IL-6 (-572) and risk of OSCC
• We evaluate the correlation of these IL-6 polymorphisms and progression of OSCC.
• We identified the environmental factors and gene interactions with pathogenesis of OSCC.

PurposeInterleukin-6 (IL-6) encodes a cytokine protein, which causes inflammation, maintains immune homeostasis and plays an essential role in oral pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between IL-6 (− 174 and − 572) G/C promoter gene polymorphisms and risk of OSCC among Indians.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphism in IL-6 genes was genotyped in OSCC patients and healthy controls by PCR-RFLP method. Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed by chi-square test and strength of associations by odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsFrequency distribution of IL-6 (− 174) G/C gene polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC patients in comparison to healthy controls (OR: 0.541, CI: 0.356–0.822; p: 0.004. However, frequency of IL-6 (− 572) G/C gene polymorphism was not significantly associated with OSCC patients (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe genotype GC and allele C of IL-6 (− 174) G/C gene polymorphism play a significant role in OSCC susceptibility.