and genetic variations and gastric cancer risk in the Chinese population.

The IL-4/IL-4R and IL-6/IL-6R signaling pathways are involved in immune response and play roles in gastric carcinogenesis. To investigate the association between and genetic variations and gastric cancer risk, and their prognostic values, we performed a case-control study. The genotypes of the genetic variations were detected using a Mass-array platform. The infection status was determined using a commercial immunogold testing kit. We found that the rs1800796 G allele was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (GG CC: OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.33-3.63; GG/CG CC: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.09-1.82). The stratified analysis showed that rs1800796 G allele carriers (GG/CG) were associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer in the following subgroups: age >64 years old (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.17-2.39), female (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.09-3.05), positive for infection (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.07-2.22), non-cardiac gastric cancer (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.15-2.04), stage T3-T4 tumor (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06-1.88), and gastric cancer with median to high differentiation (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.08-1.96). None of the genetic variations were associated with overall survival. In short, we concluded that the rs1800796 GG genotype is a risk factor for gastric cancer and that rs1800796 G allele carriers have an increased risk of gastric cancer; this association was stronger in individuals that were >64 years old, female, or positive for infection. None of the genetic variations were associated with gastric cancer prognosis.