HLA-DQB1(ASTERISK)0301 ASSOCIATION WITH INCREASED CUTANEOUS MELANOMA RISK

Susceptibility to a variety of malignancies has been linked to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, including the HLA class II allele DQBl*0301. To determine whether melanoma risk is associated with HLA class II alleles, molecular oligotyping of HLA class II-DRBl, -DQAl and -DQBl genes was performed for 45 patients with melanoma. The DQBl*0301 allele was present in 56% of melanoma patients vs. 27% of 200 local Caucasian controls. This difference was highly significant (Bonferroni's-corrected chi-square p = 0.003, OR = 3.4). No other class II allele tested was present at significantly increased or decreased frequency in melanoma patients. Furthermore, presence of DQBl*0301 in melanoma patients was associated with advanced disease. Melanoma patients carrying the DQBl*0301 allele presented on average with thicker primary tumors (mean 3.7 mm vs. 1.8 mm, 2-tailed p = 0.02) and were more likely to present with regional or distant metastatic disease (stages Ill-IV, 44% vs. 5%, chi-square P = 0.003), compared to melanoma patients without DQBI*0301. Risk of melanoma incidence or progression may be influenced by DQBI*0301 or a closely linked gene. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.