Strong association of interleukin-4 (-590 C/T) polymorphism with increased risk for oral squamous cell carcinoma in Europeans

Objective. The present study was performed to investigate the possible association of -590 C/T polymorphism in the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene which affects its expression with the risk for development of oral cancer. Study design. Polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis was performed in DNA samples of 156 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 162 healthy control subjects of equivalent gender, age, and ethnicity (Greek and German). Statistical analyses were performed conducting Fisher exact test. Results. The T/T genotype was associated with an increased risk for the development of OSCC (P = .018; OR 1.47, 95% Cl 0.66-3.28), especially for early stages of this malignancy (P < .0001; OR 3.17, 95% Cl 1.31-7.65). Conclusions. The above findings are consistent with the growth-promoting role of IL-4 in head and neck cancer and its inhibitory effect on neoangiogenesis and metastasis. The present study in Europeans is not in accordance with a previous report of unclear association of this polymorphism in a Chinese population.