Interferon-gamma 874 A > T genetic polymorphism is associated with pneumonia following surgery in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Interferon (INF)-(gamma) play a major role in the organization of orchestrated responses to infections. Our aim was to assess whether INF-(gamma) polymorphisms are associated with pneumonia following esophagectomy in a Japanese population. Methods: The study participants were Japanese patients treated with transthoracic esophagectomy without neo-adjuvant treatment. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and genetic polymorphisms for INF-(gamma) polymorphisms was investigated using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. We then assessed the association between gene polymorphisms and postoperative pneumonia. Results: Of the 110 patients studied, 14 developed a postoperative pneumonia Although the characteristics of patients who developed postoperative pneumonia did not differ, analysis of the genotypes using Fisher's exact test revealed a significantly higher incidence of postoperative infections among those carrying the INF-(gamma) 874 (rs2430561) A/A and A/T genotypes. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IFN-(gamma) 874A > T polymorphism is potentially predictive of the likelihood that patients receiving esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer will develop postoperative pneumonia. It may therefore have important clinical relevance and should be considered when designing treatment regimens.