HLA and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Malays
Author Information
Author(s): S.H. Chan, C.T. Chew, U. Prasad, G.B. Wee, N. Srinivasan, N. Kunaratnam
Primary Institution: National University of Singapore
Hypothesis
Genes are important in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and some of these genes are associated with the major histocompatibility complex.
Conclusion
The study found significant HLA associations with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malay patients, particularly with antigens B18 and B17.
Supporting Evidence
- HLA-B18 was found in 40% of Malay NPC patients compared to 13% of controls.
- HLA-B17 was found in 29% of Malay NPC patients compared to 11% of controls.
- The relative risk for HLA-B18 was 4.4 and for HLA-B17 was 3.4.
- Early onset Malay NPC patients had a higher frequency of B17 compared to late onset patients.
Takeaway
This study looked at Malay patients with a type of throat cancer and found that certain genes are more common in these patients than in healthy people.
Methodology
The study involved HLA typing of 45 Malay NPC patients and 167 normal controls using lymphocyte separation and antisera.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and did not include sufficient patients to compare long-term survivors.
Participant Demographics
The study included 45 unrelated Malay NPC patients and 167 unrelated Malay normal controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P=0.0001; P=0.003
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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