Background: Several HLA alleles are associated with susceptibility or protection in breast cancer. The particular allele varies depending on the geographical region. A study in a small group of Spanish patients using serological methods found an association with HLA-B7. We undertook a larger study in southern Spain using molecular biology techniques.
Methods: Genotype variants of HLA class I and II were typed by PCR-SSP in 132 breast cancer patients and 382 healthy controls.
Results: The frequency of the HLA-B7 allele was increased in the patients compared to the controls (P=0.0019; 95% confidence interval, 1.337-3.409, relative risk=2.135). Bonferroni correction of the P showed it was still significant (P(c)=0.0285).
Conclusions: These results support previous suggestions that HLA-B7 is associated with the development of breast cancer in our area.