HLA-E and Its Soluble Form as Indicators of a Sex-Specific Immune Response in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Radermacher A, Fehrenz M, Bellin T, Claßen C, Möller L, Struckmeier AK, Wagner M, Wartenberg P, Moratin J, Freudlsperger C, Freier K, Horn D (2023)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2023
Journal
Book Volume: 24
Article Number: 16699
Journal Issue: 23
Abstract
The human leukocyte antigene E (HLA-E) is associated with tumorigenesis in various cancers. Immunoncology along with sex-specific aspects in cancer therapy are now in scientific focus. Therefore, immunohistochemical HLA-E expression was retrospectively analysed in a cohort of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) after surgical therapy. Then, serum concentration of HLA-E (sHLA-E) was quantified in a prospective cohort by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High HLA-E expression was associated with advanced UICC stage (Spearman’s correlation: p = 0.002) and worse survival (Cox-regression: progression-free survival: hazard ratio (HR) 3.129, confidence range (CI) 1.443–6.787, p = 0.004; overall survival: HR 2.328, CI 1.071–5.060, p = 0.033). The sHLA-E concentration was significantly higher in the control group than in tumor group (Mann–Whitney U-test (MW-U): p = 0.021). Within the tumor group, women showed significantly higher sHLA-E levels than men (MW-U: p = 0.049). A closer look at the tumor group and the control group showed that gender-specific differences exist: while no differences in sHLA-E concentration were detectable between female subjects of tumor group and control group (MW-U: p = 0.916), male subjects of tumor group had a significantly lower sHLA-E concentration compared to those of control group (MW-U: p = 0.001). In summary, our results provide evidence for sex-specific differences in immune responses in OSCC. This fact should be considered regarding future immunotherapy regimens.
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APA:
Radermacher, A., Fehrenz, M., Bellin, T., Claßen, C., Möller, L., Struckmeier, A.-K.,... Horn, D. (2023). HLA-E and Its Soluble Form as Indicators of a Sex-Specific Immune Response in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316699
MLA:
Radermacher, Anne, et al. "HLA-E and Its Soluble Form as Indicators of a Sex-Specific Immune Response in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24.23 (2023).
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