ABSTRACT
Background: Evading the immune destruction and angiogenesis has been the two hallmarks of cancer. Interleukin-10 [IL-10] is a cytokine with immune suppressing [pro-tumorigenic] and anti-angiogenic [anti-tumorigenic] properties, thus making the role of IL-10 in tumorigenesis enigmatic. Previous studies have suggested a critical role of IL10 altered expression in complex process of tumor-microenvironment, co-evolution and tumorigenesis
Objectives: Evaluating the role of IL10 [-1082A/G] gene promoter polymorphism in breast cancer patients from South India
Patients and Methods: A case-control study was conducted with a total of 285 individuals, these include 125 histologically confirmed breast cancer patients and 160 age and sex matched controls. Genotypes were determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction [AS-PCR], followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Statistical analysis was done to test the significance of results obtained
Results: Statistical analysis revealed that AA genotype of the Il-10 -1082A/G polymorphism is significantly associated with breast cancer [AA vs. AG: x[2] = 14.46, P = 0.0001432, OR = 2.854, 95% CI = 1.68 - 4.849]. Up on stratifying subjects based on cancer stage, age at onset, menopausal status, AA genotype has associated with all the sub groups, except for post-menopausal women. There was no significant association which was observed with respected to hormonal status [ER, PR] and Her2/neu status
Conclusions: The present study suggests that IL-10 AA genotype as a risk factor in the etiology of breast cancer in the South Indian population