Genes of the Interleukin-18 Pathway Are Associated With Susceptibility to Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

To investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms of the interleukin-18 (IL-18) pathway to Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Most cases of EAC arise in a background of reflux-induced BE. Genetic influences in this pathway are poorly understood. IL-18 is a multifunctional cytokine implicated in anti-tumor immunity. A number of polymorphisms of the IL-18 and IL-18 receptor-accessory protein (IL-18RAP) genes have been reported to alter gene expression and have recently been linked to inflammatory processes and various tumors, but have not heretofore been studied in BE and EAC.