What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Inflammatory Response and Cancer Risk: 5/10 evidence, 57 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Higher Prostate Cancer and NSAID Allergy Risk
Two copies of the T allele lead to lower production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10, promoting a more active inflammatory environment.
What this genotype means: Increased risk of prostate cancer; Higher likelihood of NSAID hypersensitivity; Typical defense against chronic viral and bacterial infections.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Lower Cancer Risk but Higher Infection Susceptibility
Two copies of the C allele result in high production of interleukin 10, reducing chronic inflammation but potentially dampening the defense against certain pathogens.
What this genotype means: Typical, non-elevated risk of prostate cancer; Lower risk of NSAID drug allergies; Increased susceptibility to hepatitis C and leprosy.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/C
Moderately Higher Prostate Cancer and NSAID Allergy Risk
Carrying one copy of each allele results in intermediate levels of interleukin 10, slightly elevating inflammatory risks.
What this genotype means: Moderately increased risk of prostate cancer; Elevated risk of NSAID hypersensitivity; Typical susceptibility to chronic infections.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The IL10 gene encodes interleukin 10, a powerful anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in regulating the immune system. By suppressing the activity of pro-inflammatory cells and signaling molecules, interleukin 10 helps protect healthy tissues from excessive damage during immune responses. However, a delicate balance is required, as too little interleukin 10 can lead to chronic inflammatory conditions and elevated cancer risks. Conversely, excessive levels of this cytokine can over-suppress the immune system, making it harder for the body to clear certain pathogens and chronic infections.
Variant Impact: The rs1800896 variant, located in the promoter region of the IL10 gene, directly influences how much interleukin 10 the body produces. The T allele is associated with lower transcriptional activity and reduced production of this anti-inflammatory cytokine, shifting the body toward a more pro-inflammatory state. In contrast, the C allele increases promoter activity, resulting in higher levels of interleukin 10. This functional shift alters susceptibility to inflammatory diseases, cancers, and specific infectious pathogens depending on the balance of immune activation.
Key Insight: This variant acts as a genetic volume dial for inflammation, where the allele that protects against prostate cancer and drug allergies simultaneously increases susceptibility to chronic infections like leprosy and hepatitis C.
Location: IL10. Chromosome 1 · 1q32.1 · 206.8 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 37.0%; European 26.4%; African 43.9%; East Asian 89.7%; South Asian 56.4%; Americas 48.7%; Ashkenazi 35.0%; Finnish 27.6%; Middle Eastern 42.8%; Amish 31.1%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 45.9%; European 50.0%; African 44.7%; East Asian 10.0%; South Asian 37.4%; Americas 42.2%; Ashkenazi 48.3%; Finnish 49.9%; Middle Eastern 45.3%; Amish 49.3%.
Estimated TC genotype frequency.
Global 17.1%; European 23.7%; African 11.4%; East Asian 0.3%; South Asian 6.2%; Americas 9.1%; Ashkenazi 16.7%; Finnish 22.5%; Middle Eastern 12.0%; Amish 19.6%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Cancer & Oncology
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 25503130. ~1.8x Increased Risk.
Pharmacogenomics
Adverse Drug Reactions
NSAID Allergy Risk. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 28750137. Increased Risk.
Immunity & Inflammation
Infection Susceptibility & Resistance
Hepatitis C Susceptibility. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 24398031. Typical Susceptibility.
Leprosy Susceptibility. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 26340474. Typical Susceptibility.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 25503130. Typical Risk.
NSAID Allergy Risk. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 28750137. Typical Risk.
Hepatitis C Susceptibility. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 24398031. Increased Risk.
Leprosy Susceptibility. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 26340474. Increased Risk.
Showing effects for T/C genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 25503130. ~1.6x Increased Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Lower levels of interleukin 10 mean the body has a harder time dampening chronic inflammatory signals. This persistent low-grade inflammation is associated with a 1.8-fold increase in the risk of developing prostate cancer. Additionally, this pro-inflammatory state increases the likelihood of experiencing hypersensitivity reactions, such as hives or swelling, when taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin. On the positive side, a more active immune response helps the body defend against certain chronic pathogens, resulting in typical susceptibility to infections like leprosy and hepatitis C.
Increased risk of prostate cancer; Higher likelihood of NSAID hypersensitivity; Typical defense against chronic viral and bacterial infections.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
High levels of interleukin 10 keep systemic inflammation low, which helps maintain a typical, non-elevated risk of prostate cancer. This genotype is also associated with a lower risk of experiencing allergic hypersensitivity reactions to common pain relievers like NSAIDs. However, because interleukin 10 suppresses immune responses, an excess of it can make it more difficult for the body to clear specific intracellular pathogens. Consequently, this genotype is linked to an increased susceptibility to chronic infections, including hepatitis C and leprosy.
Typical, non-elevated risk of prostate cancer; Lower risk of NSAID drug allergies; Increased susceptibility to hepatitis C and leprosy.
Sample genotype: TC (Heterozygous)
With one T allele and one C allele, the body produces moderate levels of interleukin 10, balancing between active defense and tissue protection. This intermediate state is associated with a 1.6-fold increase in prostate cancer risk compared to the baseline population. There is also an elevated risk of hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can manifest as skin rashes or respiratory symptoms. However, this genotype does not carry the elevated susceptibility to chronic infections like leprosy or hepatitis C seen in those with two copies of the C allele.
Moderately increased risk of prostate cancer; Elevated risk of NSAID hypersensitivity; Typical susceptibility to chronic infections.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs3024493 · IL10 Gene · Chr 1 · Ulcerative Colitis Risk
rs1800871 · IL10 Gene · Chr 1 · Inflammatory Disease Risk
rs3024505 · IL10 Gene · Chr 1 · Autoimmune Disease Risk
Content updated August 2026.
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