Prognostic and Clinical Significance of Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Expression in Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Overview

Journal Mol Diagn Ther

Specialties Molecular Biology
Pathology
Pharmacology

Date 2023 Jul 18

PMID 37464212

Authors

Weiqiang Qiao

Zhiqiang Jia

Wanying Guo

Qipeng Liu

Xiao Guo

Miao Deng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The value of human leukocyte antigen (HLA; also known as major histocompatibility complex) class I expression for the prediction of breast cancer survival outcomes remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the prognostic significance of this expression.

Materials And Methods: We searched electronic databases to identify reports on associations of HLA class I protein or mRNA expression with survival outcomes and clinicopathological factors in the breast cancer context. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to conduct a quantitative meta-analysis.

Results: The sample comprised eight studies involving 3590 patients. Only the classical HLA class Ia (HLA-ABC) molecules studies were included in this meta-analysis. Elevated HLA class I protein expression was found to be significantly related to better disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.95, P = 0.03), particularly among patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.18-0.52, P < 0.001), but not to overall survival. It was also associated with estrogen receptor (ER) negativity (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.24-2.35, P = 0.001), progesterone receptor (PR) negativity (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.22-1.81, P < 0.001), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18-1.94, P = 0.001), TNBC (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.15-2.45, P < 0.01), high Ki-67 indices (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.62-2.61, P < 0.001), and high nuclear grades (OR 2.67, 95% CI 2.17-3.29, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that enhanced HLA class I protein expression is significantly associated with the better DFS of patients with breast cancer, especially TNBC, as well as with ER and PR negativity, HER2 positivity, TNBC, and high Ki-67 indices and nuclear grades. The immune target HLA class I may serve as a prognostic indicator for breast cancer.

Citing Articles

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Kaewkedsri P, Intarawichian P, Jessadapattarakul S, Kunprom W, Koonmee S, Thanee M Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press). 2025; 17:123-143.

PMID: 39936074 PMC: 11812676. DOI: 10.2147/BCTT.S506833.

HLA gene polymorphism is a modifier of age-related breast cancer penetrance in carriers of BRCA1 pathogenic alleles.

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Comment on "Prognostic and Clinical Significance of Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Expression in Breast Cancer: A Meta‑Analysis".

Han W, Shi L, Zhang Y, Wang H Mol Diagn Ther. 2024; 28(2):237-238.

PMID: 38376655 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-024-00700-6.

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