Genetic polymorphism of interleukin-16 and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Common genetic variants in inflammatory cytokine genes can affect the risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Interleukin-16 (IL-16), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a pivotal role in inflammatory diseases as well as in the pathogenesis of tumors.


METHODS
We analyzed rs4778889 T/C, rs11556218 T/G, and rs4072111 C/T polymorphisms of IL-16 in 206 patients with NPC and 373 healthy controls in a Chinese population, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) strategy and DNA sequencing methods.


RESULTS
The rs11556218 T/G polymorphism of IL-16 gene was significantly associated with the susceptibility to NPC. The TG genotype was associated with a significantly higher risk of NPC as compared with the TT genotype (OR=1.67; 95% CI, 1.18-2.36). Patients carrying the G allele had a significantly higher risk for developing NPC compared to individuals carrying the T allele (OR=1.36; 95% CI, 1.03-1.78).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows an association between IL-16 gene polymorphisms and the risk of NPC, and our data suggests that IL-16 gene polymorphisms may be useful as genetic susceptibility markers for NPC.
Gao
Lin-Bo
LB
Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
Liang
Wei-Bo
WB
Xue
Hui
H
Rao
Li
L
Pan
Xin-Min
XM
Lv
Mei-Li
ML
Bai
Peng
P
Fang
Wen-Liang
WL
Liu
Jin
J
Liao
Miao
M
Zhang
Lin
L
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
D019410:Interleukin-16