HLA-Allele-frequencies differ between patiens with head neck cancer (HNSCC) and healthy controls and between HPV-positiv and HPV-negative HNSCC patients

Introduction In a functional immune system HLA-molecules are able to present antigens to immune cells. Because of peptide restriction in HLA-class I-molecules, antigen presentation is depending on the individual HLA-allele composition. Therefore, antitumor immunity and tumor development are, among other factors, also dependent on the patient’s HLA-genotype. The Aim of this study was to analyse the different HLA-allele frequencies between HNSCC patients and a healthy control and between HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC patients, respectively.

Material and Methods Hiqh resolution sequencing was performed on 150 HNSCC patients. The HLA-frequencies of the control group were taken from a public accessible HLA-database which included HLA data from 39639 German patients. To analyse the different HLA-allel frequencies between the mentioned groups, qui square test and with frequencies under 5 exact fisher test was performed. Benjamini, Krieger and Yekutieli was used to correct for multiple testing.

Results Our data showed significant increased frequencies of HLA-A*66:01 in HNSCC patients in comparison to the control group. Furthermore the analysis of the HLA alleles dependent on the HPV status showed a significant increase of HLA-DRB1*04:01 in HPV-positive HNSCC and HLA-B*08:01 in HPV-negative HNSCC.

Discussion The Results indicate a possible predisposition to developing head neck cancer and HPV-positive HNSCC, respectively. A possible explanation could be a limited presentation of tumor specific antigens (Immune gap) caused by the mentioned HLA-alleles and therefore „a missing out“ of the Tumor.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020