Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0913-9 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Preliminary analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorph isms in IL -10, IL -4 and IL -4Rα 
genes and profile of circulating cytokines in patients with Gastric Cancer  
 
Version: 0 Date: 27 Sep 2018  
 
Reviewer: Reviewe r 2 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
PEER REVIEWER COMMENTS: To view the full report from the academic peer reviewer, 
please see the attached file.  
 
REVIEWER COMMENTS FROM REPORT: Brief summary of the data described in the 
manuscript  
The present study aimed  to detect Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in several promoter regions 
of the IL -10 and IL -4 genes, the IL -4Rα mutation variants Ile50Val and Q576R and circulating 
level of IL -4, TNF -α, IL -10 and IFN -γ in patients with gastric carcinoma in Colombia. The 
authors identified possible immunological and genetic biomarkers associated with gastric cancer 
in Colombian population.  
 
 
Background  
The Background section is supported by the relevant publications. However, there are several 
very recent studies might be useful to include into the discussion as references. In particular, Liu 
et al. have recently presented a meta -analyses to evaluate the  associations between interleukin 
gene polymorphism and the risk of gastric cancer and suggested that IL -4 rs2243250, IL -6 
rs1800796 and IL -8 rs4073 polymorphisms may be used as genetic biomarkers of this 
malignancy (Liu et al. Associations between interle ukin gene polymorphisms and the risk of 
gastric cancer: a meta -analysis. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2018). Also, Liu et al. have shown 
that the IL10 gene promoter -819C/T (rs1800871) polymorphism was associated with the risk of 
gastric cancer in a Chinese  population (Liu et al. Association of IL10 gene promoter 
polymorphisms with risks of gastric cancer and atrophic gastritis. J Int Med Res. 2018). In 
addition, Wang et al. have described genetic polymorphism of IL -6, IL -8 and IL -10 genes in 
gastric cancer.  Cytokine 2018).  
 
Methods  
 
Methods are well -presented. The ethical aspects of the study are described in details. The authors 
used appropriate statistical methods. However, regarding the patient information, the authors 
should include more details for both  patients and donors: age, sex, stage of the disease for the 
patients, preferably as a separate table.  
 
 
 
Results and Discussion  
The Results are clearly described. In the Discussion section the authors provide the analysis of 
the obtained data supported by the relevant references.  
 
Tables  
The Tables should not be inserted in the text of the manuscript but rather enclosed separately as 
figures.  
 
Figures  
Although there is only one figure in the manuscript, it should still be numbered as Figure 1. Also, 
when th e authors refer to the Figure in the Results section (page 14 of the manuscript), the parts 
of the Figure should be written with capital letters. For instance, instead of "…in control group 
(see Figure part "a")", it should be written: "…in control group ( Figure 1A)".  
 
Editorial comments and corrections  
 
Page 2, line 6  
Instead of "in promoter region such as", it should be: "in promoter regions such as".  
 
Page 15, line 6  
Instead of "incidence of gastric cancer is a high", it should be: "incidence of gastric cancer is 
high".  
 
Page 15, line 8  
Instead of "Patients group in present study", it should be: "Patients' group in the present study".  
 
Page 17, lines 6 -7 
Instead of "The presence of IL -4, among other cytokines associated with the Th2 profile, have 
been sho wn to induce the polarization…", it is better to write: "Among other cytokines 
associated with the Th2 profile, IL -4 has been shown to induce the polarization…".  
 
 
 
Overall conclusion  
To summarize, the described research follows the relevant scientific and ethical standards. The 
results of the study would be interesting for oncologists, gastroenterologists and I immunologists. 
The manuscript would benefit some additional English languag e editing. The paper can be 
published in a relevant oncology or gastroenterology journal.  
 
REQUESTED REVISIONS:  
see comments above  
ADDITIONAL REQUESTS/SUGGESTIONS:  
In the Background section the authors may include several recent references mentioned in t he 
peer review. Also, some additional English language editing is recommended.  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please speci fy what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written En glish  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares  in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you recei ved reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
This reviewer has been recruited by a partner organization, Research Square. Reviewers with 
declared or apparent competing interests are not utilized for these reviews. This reviewer has 
agreed to publication of their comments online under a Creative Commons Attribution License 
attributed to Research Square and was paid a small honorarium for comp leting the review within 
a specified timeframe. Honoraria for reviews such as this are paid regardless of the reviewer 
recommendation.  
 
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