The association of HLA/KIR genes with non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) in a Han Chinese population

The host immune system plays a crucial role in the surveillance, recognition and elimination of tumor cells. Recent studies found that Human lymphocyte antigen class I (HLA I) genes, Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes and HLA/KIR combinations play a role in the defense against tumor cells. To evaluated the associations between HLA I genes, KIR genes and HLA/KIR combinations and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Chinese Han population, a total of 229 patients with NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) and 217 healthy individuals were studied. Our results showed that the HLA-C*08:01 allele occurred at a significantly higher frequency in the NSCLCs compared with the controls (P=0.034). The HLA haplotype frequencies bearing HLA-A, -B, and -C loci between the NSCLC and control groups were not different (P>0.05). And there were no differences in the KIR gene, genotype and haplotype frequencies between the NSCLC and control groups (P>0.05). Also, there were no differences between the HLA/KIR combinations in the KIR3D genes and HLA-A3/A11, HLA-Bw4 ligands and KIR2D genes and HLA-C1/C2 ligands between the NSCLC and control groups (P>0.05). Our results indicate that the HLA-C*08:01 allele could be a risk factor for NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) in the Chinese Han population (OR=2.395; 95% CI: 1.359-4.221).