To Study Plasma sHLA-G Levels of HCC Patients Showing INDEL Polymorphism and its Correlation With Response to Locoregional Therapy

Abstract

Background and Aim: Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a class I, non-classical major histocompatibility complex molecule that participates in a tumor-driven immune escape mechanism. Ectopic expression of HLA-G is often associated with cancer. Clinical relevance of HLA-G expression and its relation with HLA-G INDEL polymorphism and therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient is not clear. The study was done to evaluate expression of HLA-G in HCC patients of INDEL polymorphic genotype of responder and non-responder receiving loco-regional therapy. Methods: The sHLA-G level in the sera of HCC patient receiving locoregional therapy was measured by using a commercially ELISA kit. The genotyping for INDEL polymorphism (rs371194629) was carried out by agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR amplified product and confirmation by sequencing. Therapeutic responses in HCC patient receiving locoregional therapy were assessed by mRECIST criteria. Results: The INDEL polymorphism of HCC patients (n = 40) shown 14 bp INS, INS/DEL and Del genotype in 17.5%, 62.5% and 20% cases. The level of sHLA-G in Ins, Ins/Del and Del genotype patient of responder are 334.81 ng/l, 643.65 ng/l and 586.37 ng/l respectively; whereas in responder levels were 502.21 ng/l, 584.12 ng/ml and 1414.26 ng/ml. The levels also repeated in other ELISA kit showing result similar 17.57 u/ml, 28.31 u/ml and 79.23 u/ml (Responder) and 101.54 u/ml, 35.80 u/ml and 16.84 u/ml (Non responder) in Ins, Ins/Del and Del genotype. It is clearly evident that Ins genotype of responder had shown lowest level of serum sHLA-G level. The authors have none to declare.