Interleukin-6 polymorphisms and hematologic malignancy: a re-appraisal of evidence from genetic association studies.

Context: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is implicated in the pathophysiology of hematologic neoplasia.

Objective: To review the role of IL-6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in hematologic neoplasia.

Methods: PubMed and EMBASE search of genetic association studies. Effects were summarized using the model-free generalized odds ratio (ORG), and the mode of inheritance was estimated for significant associations.

Results: Seventeen articles provided data on 20 distinct SNPs. The IL-6 receptor rs8192284 was associated with an increased risk of hematologic malignancy (combined ORG 1.42, 95%CI 1.03-1.96), including multiple myeloma (ORG 1.39, 95%CI 0.99-1.95). The IL-6 promoter rs1800795 conferred protection against young adult Hodgkin's disease (ORG 0.68, 95%CI 0.48-0.95). Significant single-study effects for four other SNPs-disease associations were estimated. The IL-6 promoter rs1800795 and rs1800797 were not associated with overall susceptibility to non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Conclusions: There is accumulating evidence that the IL-6 promoter, receptor and signal transducer SNPs can modify disease susceptibility.