Abnormal HLA-G expression occurs in various diseases such as melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, asthma, and classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HLA-G gene is linked with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To investigate the possible link with susceptibility to OSCC, 54 OSCC patients and 120 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. HLA-G 14bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is in 3'-untranslated region of HLA-G gene. HLA-G 14bp insertion/deletion polymorphism was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. For the analysis of genetic data, SPSS18.0 program was used. Logistic regression models were performed for odds ratio (OR), 95 percent confidence interval (CI), and p value. There was a significant difference in distribution allele between OSCC patients and control subjects (OR=0.018, 95% CI=0.002- 0.131, p<0.001). Our results suggest that HLA-G 14bp insertion/deletion polymorphism may be linked with susceptibility to OSCC in the Korean population.

• Sang Wook Kang
• Ju Yeon Ban Corresponding author