OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at -1082, -819 and -592 of interleukin-10 gene and its haplotype are associated with cachexia in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSRadioimmunoassay was used to examine the serum levels of IL-10 in 223 patients with gastric cancer. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-10 gene -1082G/A, -819T/C and -592A/C were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTSThe serum levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with cachexia than those without (P < 0.001). An increased frequency of -1082G allele was noted in patients with cachexia (P = 0.049). The frequencies of -1082AG and -819CC genotypes were elevated in patients with cachexia than those without (P = 0.036, 0.024). In a logistic regression analysis adjusted for actual weight, carcinoma location and stage, the -1082AG genotype was associated with an odds ratio of 1.989 (95%CI, 1.041 - 3.802, P = 0.037), and the -819CC genotype with an odds ratio of 3.393 (95%CI, 1.298 - 8.871, P = 0.013) for cachexia. Furthermore, haplotype analysis revealed that G1082C819C592 haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of cachexia (OR = 2.21; 95%CI, 1.14 - 4.30; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that the gene haplotype of IL-10 contributes to the occurrence of cachexia in patients with gastric cancer in Chinese population.