Association between IL-27 -964A > G gene polymorphism and IL-27p28 levels in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid cancer

Aim/Background

In this study, we aim to investigate the association between a potentially functional polymorphism (rs153109, -964A > G) at the promoter of IL-27 and the risk of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in a Chinese population.

Methods

Genotype of IL-27 -964A > G was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Serum IL-27p28 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

No significant difference was noticed in the IL-27 −964A > G distribution between PTC patients and healthy controls in overall analysis. However, stratified analysis showed that patients carrying the GG genotype or G allele had significantly decreased risks for developing lymph node metastasis compared with patients carrying the AA genotype or A allele (GG vs. AA: OR = 0.42, 95% CI, 0.24-0.73; G vs. A: OR = 0.75, 95% CI, 0.59-0.94). The levels of serum IL-27p28 were significantly decreased in PTC patients compared with those in controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ELISA results demonstrated that the GG genotype resulted in up-regulation of IL-27p28 expression compared with those carrying AA genotype or the AG genotype among healthy controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, our results suggest that IL-27 -964A > G polymorphism may be associated with lymph node metastasis of PTC, and IL-27p28 may be used as an attractive target for PTC immunotherapy.

Clinical trial identification

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.