ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of interleukin-18 (IL-18) rs1946519 and rs360718 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with cervical cancer and the risk factors for cervical cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotypes of IL-18 gene SNPs were detected in 107 cervical cancer patients and 80 healthy female blood donors (control group) by TaqMan and MGB probe assays. The allele and genotype frequencies and risk factors of cervical cancer were analyzed by Chi-square test in both groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant differences were found in rs360718 allele and genotype frequencies between patients with cervical cancer and the control group (P>0.05), but the allele and genotype frequencies in rs1946519 as well as the genotypes of rs1946519 and rs360718 (AC+TT) were found to relate to cervical cancer (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>rs360718 allelic variation in IL-18 gene does not contribute to the susceptibility of cervical cancer in these patients, but rs1946519 allelic variation can be closely related to the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Women with AC+TT genotype are at relatively high risk for cervical cancer.</p>