Genetics of IL6 polymorphisms: Case–control study of the risk of endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy. Cytokines gene may be important in endometrial cancer development. This study sought to investigate whether the IL4, IL6 two gene genetic variants were associated with susceptibility to endometrial cancer (EC) in Hainan Chinese Han women by a hospital‐based study. METHODS: The genetic polymorphisms for IL4 and IL6 were analyzed by Agena MassARRAY method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in risk of endometrial cancer of rs1524107 (IL6) (T/C, OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.09–2.37, p = 1.55 × 10(−2)), rs2066992 (IL 6) (OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 2.11–4.53, p = 3.13 × 10(−9)). However, for IL4 gene, no associations emerged the SNP and EC risk. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that IL6 gene polymorphisms are significantly associated with increased EC susceptibility in Hainan Chinese Han women.