HLA-DQB1*0301 association with increased cutaneous melanoma risk.
Susceptibility to a variety of malignancies has been linked to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, including the HLA class II allele DQB1*0301. To determine whether melanoma risk is associated with HLA class II alleles, molecular oligotyping of HLA class II-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 genes was performed for 45 patients with melanoma. The DQB1*0301 allele was present in 56% of melanoma patients vs. 27% of 200 local Caucasian controls. This difference was highly significant (Bonferroni's-corrected chi-square p = 0.003, OR = 3.4). No other class II allele tested was present at significantly increased or decreased frequency in melanoma patients. Furthermore, presence of DQB1*0301 in melanoma patients was associated with advanced disease. Melanoma patients carrying the DQB1*0301 allele presented on average with thicker primary tumors (mean 3.7 mm vs. 1.8 mm, 2-tailed p = 0.02) and were more likely to present with regional or distant metastatic disease (stages III-IV, 44% vs. 5%, chi-square p = 0.003), compared to melanoma patients without DQB1*0301. Risk of melanoma incidence or progression may be influenced by DQB1*0301 or a closely linked gene.
Department of General Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
J E
JE
Lee
J D
JD
Reveille
M I
MI
Ross
C D
CD
Platsoucas
D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D017931:DNA Primers; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069051:HLA-DQB1 antigen; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes