Further examination revealed that the level of HLA-DQB1 expression on tumor cells was positively correlated with CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor.
Patients with GC with HLA-DQB1*03 genotype had higher number of tumor size >6 cm, deeper depth of infiltration, higher LNM rate, and later stage of disease.
Future studies should focus on the clinical relevance of increased HLA-DQB1 protein expression facilitating tumor cell removal through increased immune surveillance.
The study suggests that HLA-DRB1*1501 and HLA-DQB1*0301 may influence the immune response to specific tumor and HPV-encoded epitopes and affect the risk of Kazakh ESCC in XinJiang, China.
The HLA-DQB1*0301 allele, commonly associated to a high grade of cervical neoplasia and HPV infection, was present in homozygous in one mother and her child.
In conclusion, HLA-DQB1(*)0602 confers susceptibility to gastric cancer, especially for male Taiwanese and proximal tumor location, while HLA-DQB1(*)0301 may have a protective effect on GC, probably through resistance to Helicobacter pylori infection.