Donor IL-10 and FOXP3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with post-transplantation outcomes

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) offers a potential cure for hematologic malignancies, but post-transplant complications, particularly graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), remain major challenges. Regulatory T cells and interleukin-10 (IL-10) play key roles in immune regulation. This retrospective study investigated the impact of donor FOXP3-3279 (rs3761548) and IL-10-819 (rs1800871) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on clinical outcomes in 92 allo-HSCT recipients, with emphasis on umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). Among UCBT recipients, non-C/C FOXP3 and non-T/T IL-10 donor genotypes were associated with significantly worse progression-free and overall survival, as well as a higher incidence of chronic GVHD. Multivariable analyses confirmed the prognostic impact of these SNPs. These findings suggest that donor-derived SNPs in key immune regulatory genes may influence post-transplant immune reconstitution. FOXP3 and IL-10 genotyping could serve as useful biomarkers to guide donor selection and risk stratification in UCBT settings, potentially improving transplantation outcomes.