IL-17 gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to gastric cancer

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the role of three common IL-17A and IL-17F single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the susceptibility to gastric cancer. A case-control study was conducted using a Chinese study population of 462 gastric cancer subjects and 462 controls. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length of polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was taken to genotype rs2275913, rs763780, and rs3748067 within the IL-17 gene. When comparing demographic characteristics of gastric cancer between gastric cancer cases and control groups, cancer cases were more likely to be cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers, have cancer history in the first relatives, and have higher infection rate of Helicobacter pylori. By conditional regression analysis, individuals carrying IL-17 rs2275913 GA, AA genotype, and A allele were associated with an increased gastric cancer risk. Those carrying rs3748067 CC genotype and C allele had a significantly increased risk for the development of gastric cancer. Moreover, rs2275913 and rs3748067 variations had association with cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and H. pylori infection on the risk of gastric cancer. These results suggest that rs2275913 and rs3748067 variations significantly increase gastric cancer risk in a Chinese population.