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.

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.