Evaluation the -۱۷۴G>C Genetic Polymorphism of Interleukin-۶ in Iranian Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background & Objective: Interleukin-۶ (IL-۶) is involved in inflammation and has a significant role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) progression. Accordingly, IL-۶ level may increase in CLL-affected patients compared to healthy individuals. The -۱۷۴G>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in IL-۶ promoter region has been related to differences in IL-۶ transcription. Therefore, we investigated the possible association of IL-۶ polymorphism with CLL.Methods: We examined the -۱۷۴G>C SNP in IL-۶ 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-۶ plasma level was measured in both studied groups.Results: According to the results, IL-۶ mean plasma concentration was increased significantly in the CLL patients compared to the controls. However, ۱۷۴G>C genotype of the IL-۶ 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 (P>۰.۰۵).Conclusion: Our study showed that -۱۷۴G>C SNP in promotor of IL-۶ gene could not be considered a risk factor for CLL. Larger prospective studies should be performed to confirm our results.