Interleukin 1beta gene polymorphism and hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Opisthorchiasis with proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) polymorphisms influence risk of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand: a nested case-control study

Background

Chronic inflammation and repeated infection with Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) induces intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are substances in the immune system that promote inflammation and causes disease to progress. Genes that help express proinflammatory cytokines can affect an individual’s susceptibility to disease, especially in cancer-related chronic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for ICC with a focus on opisthorchiasis and polymorphisms of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α).

Methods

This study was a nested case-control study within a cohort study. 219 subjects who developed a primary ICC were identified and matched with two non-cancer controls from the same cohort based on sex and age at recruitment (±3 years). An O. viverrini-IgG antibody was assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. IL-1β and TNF-α polymorphisms were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction with high resolution melting analysis. Associations between variables and ICC were assessed using conditional logistic regression.

Results

Subjects with a high infection intensity had higher risk of ICC than those who had a low level (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2–3.9). Subjects with all genotypes of TNF-α (GG, GA, AA) and high infection intensity were significantly related to an increased risk of ICC (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Polymorphisms of IL-1β and TNF-α are not a risk of ICC, but an individual with O. viverrini infection has an effect on all genotypes of the TNF-α gene that might promote ICC. Primary prevention of ICC in high-risk areas is based on efforts to reduce O. viverrini infection.

Interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) promoter polymorphism and cancer risk: evidence from 47 published studies

Interleukin 1β (IL-1B) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine against infection, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of cancers. The -31T/C polymorphism of the interleukin 1β gene (IL1B) has been implicated in cancer risk through its influence on the IL1B transcription. However, results from studies are conflicting. To clarify the association, a meta-analysis was performed for 11 125 cases and 14 415 controls from 47 published case-control studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the association. No significant associations were observed for total cancer from all the comparisons. Through the stratified analyses, there was a statistically significant decreased risk of hepatocellular cancer in carriers of the C allele than non-carriers (CC versus TT: OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.98, P(heterogeneity) = 0.103; TC versus TT: OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.95, P(heterogeneity) = 0.734; TC + CC versus TT: OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.91, P(heterogeneity) = 0.472). Similarly, decreased risk was observed for gastric cancer of the C/C genotype compared with the T/T genotype (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.98, P(heterogeneity) = 0.103). Using the recessive model, a significantly decreased risk was observed for gastric cancer (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.97, P(heterogeneity) = 0.158), European population (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97, P(heterogeneity) = 0.070) and positive infection-matched studies (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.94, P(heterogeneity) = 0.220); however, an increased risk was found for breast cancer (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.18-1.61, P(heterogeneity) = 0.116). Although some modest bias could not be eliminated, this meta-analysis suggests that the IL1B -31C allele is a low-penetrance protective factor for the development of cancer, in particular for that associated with infection.

Genetic polymorphisms of interleukin-1-beta in association with sustained response to anti-viral treatment in chronic hepatitis B in Chinese

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-1beta is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that may influence host defence against viral infection.

AIM

To investigate the impact of interleukin-1beta gene polymorphism on the response to anti-viral treatment.

METHOD

Hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients who have completed a randomized study of peginterferon alpha-2b and lamivudine combination vs. lamivudine monotherapy were included. Sustained responders were patients who had persistent hepatitis B e antigen loss and less than two occasions with hepatitis B virus DNA >100 000 copies/mL at any time up to week 76 post-treatment. Polymorphisms at interleukin-1beta-511, -31 and -3954 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (RN) were studied.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients were studied and 18 (20%) patients developed sustained response. Near complete linkage disequilibrium was observed between interleukin-1beta-511 and -31 loci. After adjustment for the potential confounding effects of treatment allocation, hepatitis B virus genotype, pre-treatment alanine aminotransferase and hepatitis B virus DNA levels, genotype C/T at interleukin-1beta-511 was found to be associated with higher sustained response than genotype C/C (adjusted odds ratio 10.4, 95% CI 1.1, 96.9, P = 0.040). The proportion of sustained responders tend to be higher among patients with allele T at interleukin-1beta-511 (83%) than those without (70%) (P = 0.058).

CONCLUSION

High interleukin-1beta production genotype at position -511 has a favourable response to anti-viral treatments.