Genetic variation in interleukin-10 gene and risk of oral cancer.

Background: Common genetic variants in immune and inflammatory response genes can affect the risk of developing oral cancer. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an immunosuppressive cytokine which may facilitate development of cancer by supporting tumor escape from the immune response. Inter-individual variations in IL-10 production were genetically contributed to polymorphisms within IL-10 promoter region.