Analysis Of HLA-DRB1 Alleles In Fujian Chinese Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia And Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Objective Genetic and environmental factors play an interactive role in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML). Since the demonstration of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) influence on mouse leukemia in 1964, an HLA association has been considered as a possible genetic risk factor. Despite extensive efforts, however, no strong evidence comparable to the H-2~k influence on mouse leukemia has been shown. We reconsidered the HLA-DRB1 association in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL ) and .chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML). We hope that these results will be used as a guide for further functional studies and be considered in the ongoing cancer studies.Methods HLA-DRB1 allele in 32 Chinese patients with ALL, 33 with CML and 104 healthy individuals of Fujian native Han Population were identified by polymerase chain reaction - specific sequence primers (PCR-SSP) methods. The data, therefore, can be used to estimate the relative risk for ALL and CML.Results The gene frequency of HLA-DRB1*06 in ALL patient is significantly higher than that in healthy controls (15.63% vs 5.29%, p<0.001). The relative Risk of HLA-DRB1*06 to ALL is 3.84. The gene frequency of HLA-DRB1*09 in CML patient is significantly higher than that in healthy controls (24.24% vs 11.54%, p<0.01). The relative Risk of HLA-DRB1*06 to CML is 3.14.Conclusion The present results suggest positive association of HLA-DRB1*06 with ALL, and HLA-DRB1*09 with CML respectively.HLA-DRB1*O6 and HLA-DRB1*O9 alleles seem to contribute to the genetic susceptibility for patients with ALL and CML respectively.