lnterleukin-8 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND

Studies have demonstrated that some polymorphisms in different interleukin genes may increase the risk of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the IL-8 (rs4073) -251A/T gene polymorphism and the risk of gastric cancer (GC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on patients with noncardia gastric cancer. DNA was extracted from leukocytes and the IL-8 (rs4073) -251A/T polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Infection with Helicobacter pylori was investigated in the serum by ELISA.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 104 patients with GC and 196 controls. Cigarette smoking (P=0.007) and high fat intake (P=0.01) were more frequent in patients with GC. The proportion of patients infected with H. pylori was similar in the two groups (P=0.101). The frequency of the genotype A/T was higher in the cancer group (P=0.008). An increased risk of GC was found in subjects carrying the genotype A/T (OR=2.50, CI: 1.27-4.90), subjects with high fat intake (OR=1.92, CI: 1.17-3.15), and smokers (OR=2.00, CI: 1.203.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with the heterozygous A/T genotype, high fat intake and smokers or ex-smokers presented an increased risk of GC. Individuals with A/A genotype may have protective effect for GC.