title: HLA-G expression is an independent predictor for improved survival in high grade ovarian carcinomas.
abstract: Aberrant expression of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I has prognostic importance in various cancers. Here, we evaluated the prognostic value of classical (A/B/C) and nonclassical (G/E) HLA expression in 169 high grade epithelial ovarian cancer samples and linked that to clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Expression of HLA-A, -B/C, or -E was not correlated with survival. Survival was prolonged when tumours expressed HLA-G (P = 0.008) and HLA-G was an independent predictor for better survival (P = 0.011). In addition, HLA-G expression was associated with longer progression-free survival (P = 0.036) and response to chemotherapy (P = 0.014). Accordingly, high expression of HLA-G mRNA was associated with prolonged disease-free survival (P = 0.037) in 65 corresponding samples. Elevated serum-soluble HLA-G levels as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 50 matched patients were not correlated to HLA-G protein expression or gene expression nor with survival. During treatment, sHLA-G levels declined (P = 0.038). In conclusion, expression of HLA-G is an independent prognostic factor for improved survival in high grade epithelial ovarian cancer and a predictor for platinum sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, Center of Gynaecologic Oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rutten
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dijk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Savci-Heijink
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, Center of Gynaecologic Oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Buist
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, Center of Gynaecologic Oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Kenter
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van de Vijver
authors.affiliation: Free University Medical Center, Center of Gynaecologic Oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Jordanova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D059951:HLA-G Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I