HLA-G and its relation to proliferation index in detection and monitoring breast cancer patients

Tissue Antigens. 2010 Jan;75(1):40-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2009.01393.x.

Abstract

Recent studies indicate an ectopic upregulation of the human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) in tumor cells that may favor their escape from antitumor immune responses. The role of HLA-G in breast cancer has not been defined. Other studies showed that HLA-G transcription may be silenced by epigenetic mechanisms or activated by stress. This work aimed to clarify the expression of HLA-G protein, estimate the possible prognostic role of HLA-G expression and identify if this expression is linked to the DNA index (DI) and S phase fraction (SPF) in breast cancer. HLA-G protein expression and the DNA parameters were studied by flow cytometry and serum secreted HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 45 breast cancer patients and 40 female blood donors as healthy donors. Surface HLA-G was expressed on 40% and the cytoplasmic pattern with no membrane association in 24.4% of the malignant specimens. There was an increased serum sHLA-G level in patients as compared with controls. There were negative correlations between cytoplasmic HLA-G and both DI and SPF and between preoperative sHLA-G and SPF with no relations with patients' clinical outcome. We cannot establish that HLA-G protein can be a useful prognostic marker, but sHLA-G may be used as a tumor marker in breast cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • DNA, Neoplasm*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HLA Antigens* / genetics
  • HLA Antigens* / metabolism
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I* / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ploidies
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I