Association of IL6 and CCL2 gene polymorphisms with the outcome of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Various polymorphisms of non-HLA genes have recently been investigated as candidate risk factors in allogeneic haematopoietic SCT (aHSCT). Our study aimed at exploring possible associations of IL6 and CCL2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with aHSCT outcome. A total of 166 HLA-identical aHSCT pairs recruited in were genotyped for IL6 -174 G/C, IL6 -597 G/A, CCL2 -2518 A/G and CCL2 -2076 A/T SNPs by PCR with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The association between IL6 -174 GG genotype and increased risk of acute GVHD was found in whole study group (P = 0.03) and in the subgroup of related aHSCT (P - 0.01), association between IL6 - 597 GG genotype and the occurrence of acute GVHD was detected only in the related aHSCT pairs (P = 0.02). Furthermore, reduction in OS was revealed among recipients possessing IL6 - 174*G allele in the group of related aHSCT pairs (P = 0.04). Presence of CCL2 - 2076 TT genotype was associated with decrease of OS (P = 0.04) and increase of TRM (P = 0.02) in patients transplanted by related donor. These results, in the context of previous findings, suggest that IL6 gene polymorphisms may be associated with aHSCT outcome, particularly in patients transplanted from a related donor. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2009) 44, 227-235; doi: 10.1038/bmt.2009.16; published online 23 February 2009