The Role of Interleukin-6 Polymorphism (rs1800795) in Prostate Cancer Development and Progression.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Interleukin-6 is an important modulator of inflammation, which is one of the factors involved in prostate cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible association of the IL-6 -174 polymorphism (rs1800795) with the risk of prostate cancer development and progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 446 prostate cancer patients, 377 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) patients and 276 healthy men. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP analysis. IL-6 plasma levels were measured by the ELISA method.

RESULTS: The GC genotype (OR=0.61, p=0.005) and C allele (OR=0.8, p=0.04) of the IL-6 -174 polymorphism were significantly associated with prostate cancer. No genotype was associated with BHP. IL-6 plasma levels were significantly increased in prostate cancer patients compared to both healthy men (p=0.02) and BHP patients (p=0.008). No significant differences were observed in IL-6 plasma levels in connection with IL-6 -174 genotypes.

CONCLUSION: The IL-6 -174 polymorphism was significantly associated with prostate cancer in Slovak patients.