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IL6 genotypes and colon and rectal cancer

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Abstract

Inflammation appears to play a key role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study we examine factors involved in the regulation of inflammation and risk of CRC. Data from a multi-center case–control study of colon (N = 1579 cases and N = 1977 controls) and rectal (N = 794 cases and N = 1005 controls) cancer were used to evaluate the association between the rs1800795 and rs1800796 IL6 polymorphisms and CRC. We evaluated the joint effects of IL6 single nucleotide polymorphisms and regular use of aspirin/NSAIDs and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotype. Having a C allele of the rs1800796 IL6 polymorphisms and the GG genotype of the rs1800795 IL6 polymorphisms was associated with a statistically significantly reduced the risk of colon (OR 0.76 95% CI 0.57, 1.00), but not rectal (OR 1.49 95% CI 1.02,2.16) cancer. Both IL6 polymorphisms were associated with significant interaction with current use of aspirin/NSAIDs to alter risk of colon cancer: individuals with a C allele in either polymorphism who were current users of aspirin/NSAIDs had the lowest colon cancer risk. CRC risk also was associated with an interaction between VDR and IL6 genotypes that was modified by current use of aspirin/NSAIDs. This study provides further support for inflammation-related factors in the etiology of CRC. Other studies are needed to explore other genes in this and other inflammation-related pathways.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by NCI grants CA48998, CA85846, and CA59048. This research also was supported by the Utah Cancer Registry, which is funded by Contract #N01-PC−67000 from the National Cancer Institute, with additional support from the State of Utah Department of Health, the Northern California Cancer Registry, and the Sacramento Tumor Registry. The contents of this manuscript are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the National Cancer Institute. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of Michael Hoffman and Thao Tran for genotyping and Sandra Edwards, Karen Curtin, Roger Edwards, Leslie Palmer, Donna Schaffer, Dr. Kristin Anderson, and Judy Morse for data management and collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA

    Martha L. Slattery, Roger K. Wolff & Jennifer S. Herrick

  2. Kaiser Permanente Medical Research Program, Oakland, CA, USA

    Bette J. Caan

  3. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, DC, USA

    John D. Potter

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  1. Martha L. Slattery
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  2. Roger K. Wolff
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  4. Bette J. Caan
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Correspondence to Martha L. Slattery.

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Slattery, M.L., Wolff, R.K., Herrick, J.S. et al. IL6 genotypes and colon and rectal cancer. Cancer Causes Control 18, 1095–1105 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9049-x

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