Abstract: Objective 　To investigate the association of the interleukin-1B ( IL-1B) gene polymorphism with gastric cancer in Henyang Chinese population, and to study which type may be the sensitive genotype to gastric cancer in patients with helicobacter pylori ( HP) infection. Methods 　For 52 patients with gastric cancer and 55 patients with chronic gastritis., the polymorphism of the IL-1B gene was studied by using polymerase chain reaction-rest riction f ragment length polymorphism ( PCR-RFL P) analysis, C/ C、T/ T genotype were sequenced. The infections of HP were determined by RU T and PCR assay. Results 　The frequencies of IL-1B-31 T, IL-1B-511 T, IL-1B-31 T/ T and IL-1B-511 T/ T genotype were higher in gastric cancer group than in chronic gast ritis group ( P < 0. 05), with odds ratios (ORs) of 1. 97 (95 %CI = 1. 15～3. 59), 2. 52 (95 %CI = 1. 45～4. 39), 2. 71 (95 %CI = 1. 10～6. 66) and 3. 33 (95 %CI = 1. 14～9. 73), respectively. In patient s with HP infections, the IL-1B-511 T and IL-1B-511 T/ T were higher in gastric cancer group than in chronic gastritis group ( P < 0. 05), with odds ratios of 2. 16 (95 %CI = 1. 10～4. 23) and 3. 43 (95 %CI = 1. 01～11. 62), respectively. Conclusion 　In the HengYang Chinese population, the IL-1B-31 T/ T and IL-1B-511 T/ T genotypes may be associated with the high risk of gastric cancer, and IL-1B-511 T/ T may be the sensitive genotype of gastric cancer in patients with HP infection.