correlation of tissue distribution of hla-g and hla-e and degree of tumor malignancy in patients with breast cancer

Background and aims: human leukocyte antigen (hla) molecules play a substantial role in t lymphocyte-mediated adaptive immune response. down-regulation of hla expression may help the tumor to escape from immune surveillance. this study aimed to evaluate the correlation between hla-g and hla-e tissue distribution and the degree of tumor malignancy in human breast tumors. materials and methods: this cross-sectional study was conductedon tissue samples of 145 patients with breast cancer. the distribution of hla-g and hla-e expressions were measured by the immunohistochemistry method.results: among 145 patients, 51% of tumors did not express hla-e, and +1 positive was seen in 36.6 % of patients. +2 positive in 8.3% and +3 positive in 4.1% of patients. moreover, 79.3% of tumors did not express hla-g, 17.9% expressed +1 positive, 2.8% expressed +2 positive, and no patients expressed +3 positive. generally, 20.7% and 49% of patients showed expression of hla-g and hla-e, respectively. a significant correlation was seen between the grade of disease and expression of hla-e (p = 0.03) and hla-g (p = 0.001). moreover, a significant correlation was seen between the simultaneous expression of hla-g and hla-e with grade (p = 0.03, r = 0.176).conclusion: significant correlation was seen between the distribution of hla-g and hla-e expression with a degree of malignancy. therefore, these biomarkers’ expression may contribute to the prognosis and progression of breast cancer.