Negative association of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele with breast cancer development among Jordanians.

BACKGROUND In the literature, data concerning the relationship between breast cancer and HLA class II gene polymorphisms are limited, so the aim of this study was to determine if HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 MHC class-II alleles may confer susceptibility or resistance to the disease among Jordanian females. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case control study enrolled 56 Royal Hospital breast cancer patients and 60 age matched healthy controls, all of whom provided blood samples (2011-2013). A questionnaire was filled after signing a consent form and DNA was extracted, nucleic acids being amplified for assessment of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 alleles by muliplex INNO-LiPA and allele typing carried out by reverse hybridization. Comparison of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 allele distributions was carried out with paired t-test and chi-square statistics. Risk factors were assessed by odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS A significant negative correlation was observed between HLADQB1* 02 alleles and breast cancers (p=0.013). No significant associations were observed among HLADQB1* 03, 04, 05 and 06 or among HLA-DRB1* 01, 03, 04, 07, 08, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15. CONCLUSIONS HLADQB1* 02 alleles may provide positive protection against breast tumor risk among Jordanians, but not HLADQB1* 03, 04, 05 and 06 or HLA-DRB1* 01, 03, 04, 07, 08, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 alleles.