Impact of polymorphism in IL-1RA gene on the risk of cervical cancer

Introduction Cervical cancer, the second most common malignancy in women worldwide, is almost invariably associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). However, although many women are infected with high-risk types of HPV, only a subset of infected women will ever develop cervical cancer. Therefore, host genetic factor may play a role in cervical carcinogenesis. Several studies suggested that immunological components play a key role in the development of cervical cancer. Polymorphism in the IL-1RA gene was associated with various malignant diseases. Data are lacking for cervical cancer. Materials and methods In a case-control study we analyzed the polymorphism of IL-1RA in 150 women with cervical cancer and 209 healthy controls. Genomic DNA fragments were amplified by PCR. Results There was a strong significantly protective association between heterozygous AB genotype and HPV 18 (OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.04-0.30, p = 0.0000000). Similarly this result was demonstrated, in combined AB + BB genotypes of IL-1RA with HPV 18 (OR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.05-0.30, p = 0.0000000) and HPV type 16 + 18 (OR = 0.18,95% CI = 0.08-0.38, p = 0.000005). We found high protective significant association between heterozygous genotype AB with adenocarcinoma (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.09-0.40, p = 0.0000002) as well. Conclusion These findings therefore suggest that the IL1-RA polymorphism is associated with cervical cancer.