Association of Interleukin 1 Beta Gene -511 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism with Eesophageal Cancer

Aim: To estimate the distribution of IL-1B gene -511 C-T biallelic single nucleotide polymorphism (snp) in patients with cancer of the esophagus and a control population of Irish origin.

Methods: In a retrospective case-control study design we selected 225 cases with cancer of the esophagus, and 228 controls. DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP and TAQMAN chemistry.

Results: The distribution of CC homozygotes (49.3% in cases, 39.9% in controls) and CT heterozygotes (36% in cases, 48.2% in controls) was significantly different in the two study groups (p<0.031). In squamous cell cancer (n=84), versus controls a significant difference (p<0.024) was found in CC homozygotes and CT heterozygotes.

Conclusion: Interleukin 1 beta is a potent suppressor of gastric acid secretion, and the T allele of IL-1B gene -511 snp is associated with higher levels of IL-1Beta. We have found a significantly higher frequency of C allele in esophageal cancer patients as compared with the control population. The C allele, in comparison with the T allele, may be associated with lower levels of IL-1beta production and more acid secretion, and we would suggest that this mechanism may link the existing data with the cancer risk.