What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Inflammatory Response: 4/10 evidence, 54 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Higher Diabetes Risk, Lower Stroke Risk
Baseline inflammatory settings favor a lower risk of ischemic stroke but elevate the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. This genotype represents the most common genetic profile globally.
What this genotype means: Increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes; Slightly higher overall cancer risk; Lower risk of ischemic stroke in West African populations.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Higher Stroke Risk, Lower Diabetes Risk
This genetic profile offers protection against type 2 diabetes and cancer but is linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysms. It also influences platelet counts during chemotherapy.
What this genotype means: Lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer; Increased risk of ischemic stroke; Higher likelihood of chemotherapy-induced low platelet counts.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/C
Typical Inflammatory Risk Profile
An intermediate genetic profile balances the risks associated with both alleles, resulting in a typical baseline inflammatory response. Most health risks remain close to population averages.
What this genotype means: Intermediate risk for type 2 diabetes; Typical baseline cardiovascular risk; Standard inflammatory response.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The IL6 gene encodes interleukin-6, a multifunctional cytokine that plays a central role in regulating immune responses, inflammation, and hematopoiesis [1]. It acts as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory myokine, depending on the physiological context. Chronic elevation of interleukin-6 is widely implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular conditions [2]. Because it coordinates the body's systemic inflammatory response, genetic variations that alter its expression can have wide-ranging effects across multiple organ systems [3].
Variant Impact: The rs1800796 variant, located in the promoter region of the IL6 gene, directly influences how the gene is transcribed and how much interleukin-6 is secreted [1]. This single-nucleotide change alters the binding affinity of transcription factors, thereby modulating baseline inflammatory activity [2]. Because inflammation is a double-edged sword, the resulting changes in cytokine levels can protect against certain pathologies while simultaneously increasing susceptibility to others [3]. The variant is highly prevalent globally, with the minor C allele being particularly common in East Asian populations.
Key Insight: This variant exhibits a complex trade-off where the allele that increases the risk of metabolic issues like type 2 diabetes actually appears to lower the risk of ischemic stroke in certain populations.
Location: IL6. Chromosome 7 · 7p15.3 · 22.7 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 81.1%; European 90.3%; African 82.2%; East Asian 5.7%; South Asian 44.2%; Americas 63.7%; Ashkenazi 84.4%; Finnish 94.9%; Middle Eastern 90.7%; Amish 83.4%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 15.8%; European 9.4%; African 16.9%; East Asian 36.4%; South Asian 44.6%; Americas 32.2%; Ashkenazi 14.9%; Finnish 5.0%; Middle Eastern 9.1%; Amish 15.9%.
Estimated GC genotype frequency.
Global 3.1%; European 0.2%; African 0.9%; East Asian 57.9%; South Asian 11.2%; Americas 4.1%; Ashkenazi 0.7%; Finnish 0.1%; Middle Eastern 0.2%; Amish 0.8%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Diabetes & Glycemic Traits
Type 2 Diabetes. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 23289913. ~1.89x Higher Risk.
Stroke
Ischemic Stroke. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 28716248. Typical Risk.
Vascular Health & Aneurysm
Aneurysm Risk. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 33359288. Variable Risk.
Cancer & Oncology
General Cancer Risk
Cancer Susceptibility. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 26535637. ~1.33x Higher Risk.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Type 2 Diabetes. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 23289913. Typical Risk.
Ischemic Stroke. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 28716248. ~2x Higher Risk.
Cancer Susceptibility. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 26535637. Typical Risk.
Showing effects for G/C genotype
Type 2 Diabetes. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 23289913. ~1.32x Higher Risk.
Aneurysm Risk. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 33359288. Typical Risk.
Cancer Susceptibility. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 26535637. ~1.32x Higher Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Baseline genetic settings with two copies of the G allele are associated with a higher risk of metabolic and oncological conditions. A large-scale meta-analysis of over 11,000 subjects demonstrated that the G allele significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with homozygous carriers facing the highest odds [1]. Similarly, oncology research indicates a modest but significant increase in overall cancer susceptibility for those carrying the G allele [2]. Conversely, this profile appears protective against ischemic stroke in specific populations, such as indigenous West African men, where the alternative C allele is the primary risk driver [3]. Additionally, clinical studies suggest that this genetic background may influence the efficacy of certain antiviral and targeted cancer therapies [4] [5].
Increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes; Slightly higher overall cancer risk; Lower risk of ischemic stroke in West African populations.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the C allele establishes a unique inflammatory environment that lowers metabolic risks while elevating vascular risks. Large-scale genetic analyses show that this profile is highly protective against type 2 diabetes, avoiding the elevated risks seen in G allele carriers [1]. It is also associated with a lower overall susceptibility to various cancers [2]. However, cardiovascular studies indicate a significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke, particularly in West African populations [3]. There is also an association with an increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms, though the exact impact varies by ancestral background. Finally, clinical trials have noted that this genotype increases the likelihood of experiencing low platelet counts during certain chemotherapy regimens [4].
Lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer; Increased risk of ischemic stroke; Higher likelihood of chemotherapy-induced low platelet counts.
Sample genotype: GC (Heterozygous)
An intermediate inflammatory profile is established by carrying one G allele and one C allele. Risk levels for metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes are slightly elevated compared to the C/C baseline, but remain lower than those of G/G homozygotes [1]. A similar intermediate pattern is observed for overall cancer susceptibility, where the presence of a single G allele confers a modest risk increase [2]. In terms of cardiovascular health, this heterozygous state generally aligns with typical population averages for stroke and aneurysm risks [3] [4]. Pharmacogenomic studies also suggest a standard response to most medications, though minor variations in treatment outcomes for specific therapies have been noted in individual trials [5]. Overall, this genotype represents a balanced genetic middle ground.
Intermediate risk for type 2 diabetes; Typical baseline cardiovascular risk; Standard inflammatory response.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs1800795 · IL6 Gene · Chr 7 · Inflammation and Diabetes Risk
rs1800797 · IL6 Gene · Chr 7 · Inflammation and Joint Risk
rs2069837 · IL6 Gene · Chr 7 · Inflammation and Longevity
Association of the IL6 polymorphism rs1800796 with cancer risk: a meta-analysis.
Interleukin-6 haplotypes and the response to therapy of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Content updated August 2026.
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