Genetic variations of interleukin-1 and -6 genes and risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: To evaluate the association between five interleukin-1 (IL-1) and -6 gene polymorphisms and risk of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2-3).

Methods: This case-control study investigates five common IL-1 and IL-6 gene polymorphisms in 131 women with CIN 2-3 and 209 controls by pyrosequencing and polymerase chain reaction. Associations between gene polymorphisms and risk of CIN 2-3 are analysed by univariate and multivariable models. Their combined effect on the risk of CIN is evaluated by haplotype analysis.

Results: In a multivariable regression model IL1A -889 (odds ratio 0.3 [95% confidence interval 0.1-0.8], p=0.01) and smoking (4.0 [1.7-9.1], p=0.001) are independently associated with the risk of high grade CIN. Haplotype analysis does not reveal any high-risk combinations for the susceptibility of CIN.

Conclusion: The single nucleotide polymorphism IL1A -889 is independently associated with risk of high grade CIN.