Journal Article

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: a new theory for sHLA-G in breast cancer patients?

Yahia, Hamza Ben, Mezlini, Amel, Zidi, Nour, Sebai, Refaat, Bouaziz, Aicha, Rifi, Hela, Zidi, Inès, Kharrat, Najla, Rizzo, Roberta

2016

Overview

It is now widely recognized that HLA-G molecule is implicated in immune tolerance and particularly in immune subversion of tumor cells. In this study, we explored levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in plasma samples obtained from women with breast cancer (BC). Additionally, we correlated sHLA-G concentration with pregnancy and breastfeeding history. We reported in this preliminary work significant differences in sHLA-G levels between BC patients with/without breastfeeding experience ( p  = 0.04). Interestingly, among women with BC, only those without previous pregnancy experience present significant increase in sHLA-G ( p  = 0.02). Of relevance, we demonstrated that patients without both pregnancy and breastfeeding history have advanced SBR III grade, associated with significant enhancement in tumor size compared with patients who had both experiences ( p  = 0.028). Taken together, our results indicate the potential implication of previous pregnancy and breastfeeding experience in sHLA-G expression during BC. We theorized that having pregnancy and breastfeeding history may protect against advanced BC stages.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adult / Allergology / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Breast cancer / Breast Feeding / Breast Neoplasms - blood / Breast Neoplasms - immunology / Breast Neoplasms - pathology / Breastfeeding & lactation / Female / HLA-G Antigens - blood / HLA-G Antigens - immunology / Humans / Immune system / Immunology / Internal Medicine / Letter to the Editor / Medicine/Public Health / Pregnancy