What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Gastric Cancer Risk: 10/10 evidence, 29 publications.
You're viewing every possible genotype for this variant.
None of these is your result. Use the genotype toggle to compare them, then sign up and upload your DNA to see which one is yours.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Typical Gastric Cancer Risk
A typical baseline risk of gastric cancer is characteristic of this profile. It is also linked to typical lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline risk of gastric cancer; Typical lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Higher Gastric Cancer Risk
An elevated risk of gastric cancer, especially in males, is linked to this profile. It is also associated with higher lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
What this genotype means: Increased risk of gastric cancer, especially in males; Higher lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/C
Slightly Higher Gastric Cancer Risk
An increased risk of gastric cancer, particularly in males, is associated with this profile. It also correlates with slightly higher lymphocyte counts.
What this genotype means: Slightly increased risk of gastric cancer, especially in males; Slightly higher lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: LTA encodes lymphotoxin alpha, a pro-inflammatory cytokine belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family [1]. This protein is primarily secreted by activated lymphocytes and plays a key role in immune regulation, tissue development, and inflammatory responses [2]. Variations in this gene can alter cytokine expression, influencing systemic inflammation and susceptibility to various diseases [3]. It is highly expressed in lymphoid tissues and is involved in both protective immune responses and chronic inflammatory pathologies.
Variant Impact: The rs2229094 variant is a missense mutation in the LTA gene that results in a cysteine to arginine substitution at codon 13 [1]. This amino acid change occurs within the signal peptide region, which may influence the secretion and localization of the lymphotoxin alpha protein [4]. The C allele of this variant is associated with altered immune cell profiles, including higher lymphocyte and white blood cell counts [3]. Additionally, this genetic change has been studied for its potential role in modulating susceptibility to cancers and inflammatory conditions [5].
Key Insight: Although the C allele is associated with higher gastric cancer risk, ClinVar classifies it as benign for rare, severe monogenic disorders, highlighting the difference between common risk factors and direct disease-causing mutations.
Location: LTA. Chromosome 6 · 6p21.33 · 31.6 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 53.2%; European 54.4%; African 52.2%; East Asian 64.9%; South Asian 44.2%; Americas 57.6%; Ashkenazi 49.7%; Finnish 43.5%; Middle Eastern 44.0%; Amish 48.1%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 39.3%; European 38.7%; African 40.1%; East Asian 31.3%; South Asian 44.5%; Americas 36.6%; Ashkenazi 41.6%; Finnish 44.9%; Middle Eastern 44.7%; Amish 42.5%.
Estimated TC genotype frequency.
Global 7.4%; European 6.9%; African 7.7%; East Asian 3.8%; South Asian 11.2%; Americas 5.8%; Ashkenazi 8.7%; Finnish 11.6%; Middle Eastern 11.3%; Amish 9.4%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Cancer & Oncology
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Gastric Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 32420584. Typical Risk.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Blood Cell & Iron Traits
Lymphocyte Count. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 27863252. Typical.
White Blood Cell Count. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 27863252. Typical.
Immunity & Inflammation
Inflammatory & Circulating Protein Markers
TNF Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 39789286. Higher Levels.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Gastric Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 32420584. ~1.68x Higher Risk.
Lymphocyte Count. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 27863252. Higher.
White Blood Cell Count. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 27863252. Higher.
TNF Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 39789286. Lower Levels.
Showing effects for T/C genotype
Lymphocyte Count. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 27863252. Slightly Higher.
White Blood Cell Count. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 27863252. Slightly Higher.
TNF Levels. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 39789286. Typical.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
The presence of two T alleles represents the most common genetic profile globally. Research indicates that individuals with this genotype do not have the elevated risk of gastric cancer seen in carriers of the C allele [1]. In terms of immune system markers, this genotype is associated with typical baseline levels of lymphocytes and white blood cells [2]. However, some studies suggest that the T allele may be linked to slightly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), an important inflammatory signaling molecule [3]. Overall, this genetic profile is considered the standard baseline for LTA-related inflammatory and cancer risks.
Typical baseline risk of gastric cancer; Typical lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Two copies of the C allele are associated with an elevated risk of developing gastric cancer, particularly in males [1]. This variant alters the signal peptide of lymphotoxin alpha, potentially modifying how the cytokine is processed and secreted during immune responses [2]. This genotype is also strongly associated with higher circulating lymphocyte and white blood cell counts in large-scale genetic studies [3]. While the C allele is classified as benign for rare, severe monogenic LTA-related disorders, it acts as a common genetic modifier for complex inflammatory traits and cancer susceptibility [4].
Increased risk of gastric cancer, especially in males; Higher lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
Sample genotype: TC (Heterozygous)
A single copy of the C allele is associated with an increased susceptibility to gastric cancer, with studies showing a higher risk compared to the T/T genotype, particularly in male populations [1]. The genetic change from cysteine to arginine in the LTA protein is thought to influence inflammatory pathways that contribute to tissue remodeling and oncogenesis [2]. On the immunological side, carriers of the C allele tend to exhibit slightly elevated lymphocyte and white blood cell counts [3]. These altered immune cell profiles may reflect a subtle shift in systemic inflammatory baseline activity [4].
Slightly increased risk of gastric cancer, especially in males; Slightly higher lymphocyte and white blood cell counts.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs1799964 · LTA Gene · Chr 6 · Inflammatory Disease Risk
rs1800630 · LTA Gene · Chr 6 · Autoimmune Disease Risk
rs2229092 · LTA Gene · Chr 6 · Psoriasis Risk
The Polygenic and Monogenic Basis of Blood Traits and Diseases.
The Allelic Landscape of Human Blood Cell Trait Variation and Links to Common Complex Disease.
A scalable variational inference approach for increased mixed-model association power.
Content updated August 2026.
ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.
Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026
Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com