Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Genotype as a Contributor to Racial/Ethnic Differences in Breast Cancer: A Population-Based, Molecular Epidemiologic Study
Abstract
Breast cancer incidence and mortality differ markedly across racial/ethnic groups, but known risk factors do not explain all of this variation. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) component of the immune system, encoded by highly polymorphic genes that vary across racial/ethnic groups, has been suggested to be a biologically based risk factor for breast cancer and thus may explain some of its variation by race/ethnicity. Therefore, for a population-based series of white, black and Hispanic breast cancer cases and controls, we are determining: 1) HLA class I (A, B) and class II (DQ, DR) genotypes using advanced DNA methods; 2) whether HLA genotype is related to breast cancer across racial/ethnic groups; 3) whether the size of association and prevalence of associated HLA genotypes vary by race/ethnicity, and how much such differences explain racial/ethnic differences in breast cancer incidence; 4) whether HLA associations vary by indicators of prognosis, tumor characteristics, or known breast cancer risk factors. To date, we have transmitted DNA specimens for 912 subjects to the study collaborator for HLA typing. Typing has been conducted on 400 specimens, and work is ongoing. Statistical analyses will be undertaken once HLA typing is complete for all specimens.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428463
Entities
People
- Christina A. Clarke
- Esther M. John
- Henry A. Erlich
- Sally Glaser
Organizations
- Cancer Prevention Institute of California