Genetic and circulating inflammatory cytokine signatures for renal cell carcinoma risk: a case-control study from Northwest China

Immune responses driven by inflammatory cytokines significantly contribute to the onset and progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This research aimed to explore the association between genetic variants and Serum concentrations of inflammation-related cytokine genes and susceptibility to RCC within a Chinese cohort. A case-control design was employed, enrolling 160 individuals diagnosed with RCC and 280 healthy controls. Genetic variants in inflammation-related cytokine genes were determined using PCR-RFLP. Serum cytokine concentrations were assessed via flow cytometry with fluorescence detection. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were significantly elevated in RCC patients compared with controls (all P < 0.05; median fold changes: IL-1β 1.6, IL-6 1.9, IL-10 1.4, IFN-γ 1.3, and TNF-α 1.5). After FDR correction, the IL-6 -174 G/C and IL-10 -1082 G/A polymorphisms remained significantly associated with RCC risk (IL-6 -174 CC vs. GG: OR = 2.81, 95% CI 1.52–5.19, q < 0.05; IL-10 -1082 AA vs. GG: OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.21–3.71, q < 0.05). Associations for IL-1β -511 C/T, IFN-γ + 874 A/T, and TNF-α -308 G/A were suggestive but did not survive FDR correction (nominal P < 0.05, q > = 0.05). These inflammatory factors and their corresponding polymorphisms may serve as potential biomarkers for identifying individuals at risk for RCC and provide new avenues for personalized treatment approaches.