Correlation of molecular HLA typing and outcome in high-risk melanoma patients receiving adjuvant interferon

Abstract

8029 Background: Serological typing for both HLA class I and class II antigen expression, has previously shown association of specific HLA antigen expression with clinical response and survival in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with IL-2 (e.g. HLA-DQ1). Purpose: To evaluate the impact of HLA class I (low-resolution) and class II (high-resolution) expression, on the outcome of high-risk melanoma patients receiving adjuvant high-dose interferon. Methods: 181 stage IIB, IIC and III melanoma patients (88 female and 93 male), median age 52.1 years and 246 healthy controls were included in this study. DNA was used for the determination of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-Cw, HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 genotypes. Results: With a median follow-up of 37 months, 59 (group 1) patients have remained with no evidence of recurrence and 122 have recurred (group 2). Statistical significant differences between the two groups, were found in the following genotypes: HLA-A*02 (42% vs. 57.3%, p=0.08), HLA-A*33 (15.2% vs. 6.5%, p=0.05), HLA-B*51 (15.2% vs. 34.4%, p=0.01), HLA-B*57 (11.8% vs. 2.4%, p=0.02). Statistical significant differences between group 1 and healthy controls, were found in the following genotypes: HLA-A*33 (15.2% vs. 6.5%, p=0.05), HLA-B*51 (15.2% vs. 28.5%, p=0.05), HLA-B*57 (11.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.05), HLA-Cw*03 (23.7% vs. 11%, p=0.01), HLA-Cw*06 (27.1% vs. 16.1%, p=0.06), HLA-DRB1*0701 (27.1% vs. 13.4%, p=0.01), HLA-DRB1*1601 (35.6% vs. 22.3%, p=0.01), HLA-DQB1*0202 (23.8% vs. 10.1%, p=0.09). Conclusions: Statistical significant differences were seen in HLA-A and HLA-B alleles between the patients with high-risk melanoma free of recurrence and those who recurred after treatment with adjuvant interferon. Additionally, differences were seen between healthy controls and melanoma patients free of recurrence. No significant financial relationships to disclose.