Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been implicated as an oncomodulatory agent in mammary carcinogenesis, and the Interleukin1β −511C>T polymorphism (rs16944) is associated with altered inflammatory signaling and cancer susceptibility. Objective: To investigate the association between IL1β rs16944 polymorphism and HCMV and breast cancer risk in patients with fibroadenoma compared to healthy controls. Materials and Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study that enrolled 120 Iraqi women: 60 with breast cancer, 30 with fibroadenoma, and 30 healthy controls. HCMV IgG levels were quantified using the VIDAS® immunoassay. Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were measured using sandwich ELISA. The rs16944 polymorphism was genotyped using Tetra-ARMS PCR, and HCMV DNA was confirmed using UL55 conventional PCR. Haematological parameters were assessed using automated analysis. Results: HCMV IgG seropositivity was significantly higher in breast cancer patients (81.7%) than in those with fibroadenoma (63.3%) and controls (60.0%) (p = 0.04), with HCMV DNA confirmed by UL55 PCR. Serum IL-6 levels were elevated in breast cancer (486.6 ± 228 pg/mL) and those with fibroadenoma (467 ± 225 pg/mL) compared to controls (184.5 ± 58.3 pg/mL; p < 0.0001). IL-1β levels were paradoxically lower in breast cancer patients (891 ± 178.4 pg/mL; p < 0.0001). The rs16944 TT genotype was more common in breast cancer (35.0%) than in controls (20.0%) (χ² = 10.20, p = 0.0377). Conclusion: HCMV seropositivity and the IL1β rs16944 TT genotype are independently associated with breast cancer in an Iraqi female cohort, indicating that the convergence of viral infection and pro-inflammatory genetic predisposition may potentiate carcinogenic risk. The paradoxical suppression of systemic IL-1β reflects cytokine compartmentalization in malignancy.
Mahdi, A. A. , Alsahmmari, A. M. A. and Shukur, H. Y. (2026). Interleukin-1β rs16944 Polymorphism and Human Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity as Genetic and Viral Risk Determinants of Female Breast Cancer. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27(10), 3839-3847. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.10.3839
MLA
Mahdi, A. A. , , Alsahmmari, A. M. A. , and Shukur, H. Y. . "Interleukin-1β rs16944 Polymorphism and Human Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity as Genetic and Viral Risk Determinants of Female Breast Cancer", Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27, 10, 2026, 3839-3847. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.10.3839
HARVARD
Mahdi, A. A., Alsahmmari, A. M. A., Shukur, H. Y. (2026). 'Interleukin-1β rs16944 Polymorphism and Human Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity as Genetic and Viral Risk Determinants of Female Breast Cancer', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27(10), pp. 3839-3847. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.10.3839
CHICAGO
A. A. Mahdi , A. M. A. Alsahmmari and H. Y. Shukur, "Interleukin-1β rs16944 Polymorphism and Human Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity as Genetic and Viral Risk Determinants of Female Breast Cancer," Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27 10 (2026): 3839-3847, doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.10.3839
VANCOUVER
Mahdi, A. A., Alsahmmari, A. M. A., Shukur, H. Y. Interleukin-1β rs16944 Polymorphism and Human Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity as Genetic and Viral Risk Determinants of Female Breast Cancer. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2026; 27(10): 3839-3847. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.10.3839
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