The Role of Interleukin-31 Polymorphisms in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Genetic Susceptibility and Clinical Outcome.

Background: Interleukin-31 (IL-31), a novel T helper type 2 effector cytokine, is known to have an important effect on the pathogenesis of allergic disease and tumors. However, the impact of IL-31 on human lung cancer remains unclear. Methods: This study explored the role of IL-31 polymorphisms in lung cancer and sought to characterize how IL-31 polymorphisms correlate with lung cancer tumorigenesis and patient survival rates. Using a single-nucleotide polymorphism genotype assay, we examined the expression of two IL-31 polymorphisms (rs7977932 and rs4758680) in samples from 302 lung cancer patients and 493 control cases. Results: Lung cancer patients who were homozygous CC for rs7977932 or carried the G allele of rs4758680 had significantly poorer prognoses compared to those who did not have these genotypes. Moreover, the rs7977932 CC genotype was significantly associated with metastasis and poor survival status in lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Our study indicates the importance of IL-31 polymorphisms for susceptibility and survival status in lung cancer.