Different HLA-DR-DQ haplotypes are associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among human papillomavirus type-16 seropositive and seronegative Swedish women

To analyze whether HLA may be a determinant of the risk of developing cervical cancer precursor lesions, the association between HLA and cervical neoplasia among HPV16-seropositive and -negative subjects was determined in a population-based cohort in the Vasterbotten county of Northern Sweden. HLA genotyping of DR and DQ was done by PCR in 74 patients and 164 healthy controls matched for age, sex and area of residence. The presence of DQA1*0102 was weakly associated with cervical neoplasia in HPV16-seropositive patients. DQB1*0602 was weakly associated with disease in all patients, but was strongly increased among HPV16-seropositive patients compared to HPV16-seropositive controls. DR15 had an association with disease that was particularly strong among HPV16-seropositive subjects. The haplotype DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 (DQ6) was also weakly associated with disease in all patients and significantly increased among HPV16-positive patients when compared to HPV16-positive controls. A similar association was seen when analysis was restricted to CIN 2-3 patients. DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301 (DQ7) was more common among HPV16-negative patients than among HPV16-negative controls and was also more common among HPV16-negative patients than among HPV16-positive patients. In conclusion, DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 (DQ6) is associated with an increased risk of cervical neoplasia among HPV16-seropositive subjects and DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301 (DQ7) with an increased risk among HPV16-seronegative subjects.