Haplotypes of Human Leukocyte Antigens among Patients with Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Greece

The concept that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) in several ethnic groups has gained increased attention during the last 15 years. Earlier studies have suggested that an increased risk of NPC is associated with specific phenotypes of human leukocyte antigens (HLA). The present study was performed to examine the association of HLA specificities and haplotypes with NPC in a Greek population. In a genotypical study of 53 patients, a significant association between the haplotype HLA-B5DR11 and NPC was found, mainly in patients > 45 years. Also, the above haplotype was significantly associated with longer disease-free interval. HLA-B5 and HLA-B5DR11 were more often seen among patients with squamous cell histology than among those with the undifferentiated type. These results suggest that MHC loci are probably implicated in the pathogenesis and outcome of NPC in Greek patients.