The -174 G/C gene polymorphism in interleukin-6 is associated with an aggressive breast cancer phenotype.
Serum and tissue levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the biological phenotype of breast carcinoma. A common G/C polymorphism at position -174 of the IL-6 promoter can influence the expression level of this gene. We therefore investigated for associations between this polymorphism and various phenotypic features in a series of 256 breast cancers. Individuals who were homozygous for the C allele (n=55) were more likely to have higher-grade tumours (P=0.039) with ductal histology (P=0.030) compared to those harbouring at least one wild-type G allele (n=201). Homozygosity for the C allele was also associated with significantly worse overall survival (P=0.031). We conclude that the -174 C allele of IL-6 is associated with a more aggressive breast cancer phenotype.
Iacopetta
B
B
School of Surgery and Pathology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia. bijac@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Grieu
F
F
Joseph
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D015850:Interleukin-6