The IL-10 promoter haplotype and cancer risk: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays a key role in immunosuppressive and anti-angiogenic process, suggesting its possible involvement in carcinogenesis. A haplotype formed by polymorphisms at positions -1082 G/A (rs1800896), -819 T/C (rs1800871), and -592 A/C (rs1800872) from the transcriptional start site in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene is a strong determinant for IL-10 production. We systematically reviewed the evidence of association between IL-10 promoter haplotype and cancer risk. Up to November 2011, databases including PubMed, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched to access the relevant genetic association studies. Summary odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for this haplotype and cancer risk were estimated by using fixed or random-effect models when appropriate. Finally, 12 case-control studies with 2,090 cases and 4,224 controls were available for this study. The summary OR for cancer risk associated with the GCC haplotype was 1.47 (95 % CIs = 1.25-1.72) when compared with ATA haplotype by random effects model. Similarly, significantly increased risks were observed both in Caucasian and in Non Caucasian. Our results suggested that haplotype in IL-10 promoter was involved in the development of cancer.