Evaluation the -174G>C Genetic Polymorphism of Interleukin-6 in Iranian Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Background & Objective: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is involved in inflammation and has a significant role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) progression. Accordingly, IL-6 level may increase in CLL-affected patients compared to healthy individuals. The -174G>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in IL-6 promoter region has been related to differences in IL-6 transcription. Therefore, we investigated the possible association of IL-6 polymorphism with CLL.

Methods: We examined the -174G>C SNP in gene and studied its possible relationship with CLL in affected patients and in healthy controls using Amplification Refractory Mutation System- polymerase chain reaction genotyping method. IL-6 plasma level was measured in both studied groups.

Results: According to the results, IL-6 mean plasma concentration was increased significantly in the CLL patients compared to the controls. However, 174G>C genotype of the gene was not associated with CLL. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies between the CLL-affected patients and the controls (>0.05).

Conclusion: Our study showed that -174G>C SNP in promotor of gene could not be considered a risk factor for CLL. Larger prospective studies should be performed to confirm our results.