Interleukin-10-592 Polymorphism: Impact on Relapse and Survival After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children With Hematological Malignancies

Abstract Purpose Interleukin-10 (IL-10) potentially can promote the development of alloimmunity. The aim of this study was to investigate if the IL-10-592 CC genotype in the donor reduces the risk of relapse after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and if that has an impact on event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS).Methods A cohort of 211 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=99), acute myeloid leukemia (n=69), myelodysplastic syndrome (n=31) or chronic myeloid leukemia (n=12) who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in a single center and their respective donors were genotyped of IL-10 gene for rs1800872 using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results The IL-10-592 CC genotype was detected in 107 of the 211 donors (50.7%) and in 98 of the 197 patients (49.7%). Genotype AC was found in 95 donors (45%) and in 84 patients (42.6%). 9 donors (4.3%) and 15 patients (7.6%) were homozygous for AA. Ultimately, we observed a significantly reduced incidence of relapse rate (RR) in patients who were transplanted from a donor with the IL-10-592 CC genotype (19% versus 43% (AC) versus 49% (AA); p=0.0007). In addition, a significant increase of event-free survival (p=0.004) and overall survival (p=0.006) was detected if the IL-10-592 CC genotype is present in the donor. The occurrence of the IL-10-592 CC genotype, in either donors or recipients, had no significant impact on acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease.Conclusion The IL-10-592 CC genotype in the donor was associated with a significant decrease of RR which led to a significant increase of EFS and OS after HSCT. This is the first study to describe an association of the IL-10 gene polymorphism with RR, EFS, and OS after HSCT. Selecting a donor with the IL-10-592 CC genotype could be a useful therapeutic strategy for improving the outcome after allogeneic HSCT.