Interleukin-6 gene -174G>C and -636G>C promoter polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk

Mol Biol Rep. 2013 Jan;40(1):449-55. doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-2079-9. Epub 2012 Oct 17.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed internal malignancies affecting men. Due to the important roles of IL-6 in different physiological and pathophysiological processes, IL-6 polymorphisms may modulate PCa risk. IL-6 -174 G>C (rs 1800795, also designated -236 G>C) and -636 G>C (rs 1800796, also designated -572 G>C) promoter polymorphisms have been implicated in PCa susceptibility, albeit still controversial. A literature search using PubMed and Highwire databases was conducted, resulting in eight case-control studies concerning the IL-6 -174 G>C polymorphism (11,613 PCa cases and 13,992 controls) and four case-control publications regarding the IL-6 -636 G>C polymorphism (1,941 PCa cases and 3,357 controls). In order to derive a more precise estimation, a meta-analysis based upon these selected case-control studies was performed. There was no significant association between IL-6 -174 G>C polymorphism and PCa increased risk. Nevertheless, the presence of allele C and the CC genotype were statistically significantly associated with decreased PCa risk in the overall analysis for IL-6 -636 G>C polymorphism. Additional studies in larger samples and analyses of functional repercussions of these SNPs in prostate tumor cells are necessary to validate these findings.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Population Groups / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Publication Bias

Substances

  • Interleukin-6