Do histocompatibility antigens antigence influence the risk of head and neck carcinoma?

Abstract

Associations were sought between specific histocompatibility antigens (HLA) of the human major histocompatibility complex and the incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). Seventy sequential patients with SqCC and 217 control subjects from the same geographic region were typed for HLA‐A, HLA‐B, and HLA‐DR loci. These results were compared. Multivariate statistical analysis using stepwise logistic regression revealed significant associations between the incidence of SqCC and HLA‐B14, HLA‐DR3, and HLA‐DR4 as well as smoking and the sex‐smoking interaction. The authors concluded that certain host factors, including genetic constitution, and behavioral characteristics (i.e., smoking) as well as tumor biology, can influence the development of SqCC. The mechanism(s) of these associations may involve as yet undefined relationships between HLA region genes and the immune response.

Association between soluble MICA levels and disease stage IV oral squamous cell carcinoma in Japanese patients

“…It is associated with tumor susceptibility, lymph node metastasis, and the induction of cytotoxic Tlymphocytes and NK cells [2].…”

MICA and MICB overexpression in oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…For this reason, tumor immunity is increasingly a target of research. The most important genetic component of the body's immune function is the major histocompatibility complex, and certain human leukocyte antigens (HLA) have been implicated in the development of squamous cell carcinoma (11–13), including both HLA class I and class II genotypes (14). Loss of heterozygosity of the HLA complex may provide tumor cells with a phenotype permitting immune escape (15).…”

Focus on the frequencies of serological HLA antigens in 4,094 Japanese people

“…Cancer diseases whose carcinogenesis may be induced by viral infections such as squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix for women or head and neck carcinoma have been associated with HLA antigen 4,5) , but others failed to have been significantly associated with HLA antigens.…”