Published online Jun 15, 2016. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v8.i6.520
Peer-review started: February 14, 2016
First decision: March 1, 2016
Revised: March 1, 2016
Accepted: March 17, 2016
Article in press: March 17, 2016
Published online: June 15, 2016
AIM: To evaluate the association between the interleukin 1β (IL-1β) polymorphisms and the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) development.
METHODS: A case-control study was conducted analyzing IL-1β polymorphisms using germline DNA collected in a population-based case-control study of pancreatic cancer (51 pNET cases, 85 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cases, 19 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and 98 healthy controls).
RESULTS: The distribution of genotypes for the -511 C/T polymorphism in the pNET patient groups showed significant difference compared to the control group. It is known that the carriers of the IL-1β -511T allele have increased concentrations of IL-1β. The -511 CT and TT high-expression genotypes were over-represented in pNET patients.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggested a possible role of IL-1β -511 C/T genotypes in the pathogenesis of pNETs since the presence of the IL-1β -511 CT and TT genotypes and the T allele was associated with an increased risk of pNET only.
Core tip: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms derived from pancreatic endocrine cells and have significantly different tumor biology and present better prognosis compared with tumors of the exocrine pancreas, like pancreatic adenocarcinomas. It is widely accepted that chronic inflammation contributes to pathogenesis of many pancreatic diseases, including pancreatic carcinogenesis. Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) is a highly active pro-inflammatory cytokine with multiple biological effects, such as directing cancer cells to either neuroendocrine differentiation or to development of adenocarcinoma. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between the IL-1β polymorphisms and the pNET development.