HLA-G Helps Lung Cancer Escape Immune System

Sichuan, China -

We have previously discussed that HLA-G expression is an important mechanism by which mesenchymal stem cells suppress the immune system. In a recent paper (Yie et al. Expression of human leucocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is associated with prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer. 2007 Jul 27) the importance of HLA-G as an immune suppressive molecule was demonstrated in patients with lung cancer.

Control and non-small cell lung cancer tissue was compared for expression of HLA-G protein. From 106 patients 79 of them expressed HLA-G whereas expression was absent from control lung biopsies.

A negative correlation between survival and extent of HLA-G expression was noted.

Multivariate analysis revealed that the degree of HLA-G expression was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.01, relative risk 4.09; 95% confidence interval 1.40-11.9).