Cytokine gene polymorphisms affect reactivation of cytomegalovirus in patients with cancer

► SNP's of IL-2, IL-4 and TGFβ1 are found to be associated with cytomegalovirus reactivation. ► These SNP's are either prone to or protective from reactivation of the virus. ► These cytokines are all within adaptive immunity arm. ► Gene dosage, synergism, and antagonism among alleles of these cytokines are also observed. ► None of several cytokines in the native immunity arm are found to be significant.