Association of HLA Class I and Class II genes with bcr-abl transcripts in leukemia patients with t(9;22) (q34;q11).

BACKGROUND

Based on the site of breakpoint in t(9;22) (q34;q11), bcr-abl fusion in leukemia patients is associated with different types of transcript proteins. In this study we have seen the association of HLA genes with different types of bcr-abl transcripts. The association could predict the bcr-abl peptide presentation by particular HLA molecules.

METHODS

The study included a total of 189 patients of mixed ethnicity with chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia who were being considered for bone marrow transplantation. Typing of bcr-abl transcripts was done by reverse transcriptase PCR method. HLA typing was performed by molecular methods. The bcr-abl and HLA association was studied by calculating the relative risks and chi-square test.

RESULTS

Significant negative associations (p < 0.05) were observed with HLA-A02 (b2a2, e1a2), -A68 (b2a2, b3a2, e1a2), -B14 (b2a2, b3a2, e1a2), -B15 (b2a2, b3a2), -B40 (b2a2), -DQB10303 (b2a2, b3a2), -DQB10603 (b2a2), -DRB10401 (e1a2), -DRB10701 (b3a2), and -DRB11101 (b2a2).

CONCLUSIONS

The negative associations of a particular bcr-abl transcript with specific HLA alleles suggests that these alleles play a critical role in presenting peptides derived from the chimeric proteins and eliciting a successful T-cell cytotoxic response. Knowledge of differential associations between HLA phenotypes and bcr-abl fusion transcript types would help in developing better strategies for immunization with the bcr-abl peptides against t(9;22) (q34;q11)-positive leukemia.