HLA-C polymorphisms with susceptibility and protection against acute leukemia in a Moroccan population

Acute leukemia (AL) is a malignant hematological disorder, with two main subtypes: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The incidence rate of AML and ALL is estimated at approximately 2.7 and 1.5 per 100,000 people, respectively, with an overall mortality rate of approximately 23.6%. This study aimed to investigate the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C genotypes and AML and ALL in a Moroccan population.

A cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted on 100 patients with AL including 43 cases of AML and 57 cases of ALL, compared to 120 healthy individuals as controls. HLA-C genotyping was performed in the two groups, using the PCR-SSO (polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide)-based technique.

The mean age of the patients was 32 ± 13 (2-62), with a sex ratio of 1.22 (55 male and 45 female patients). In patients with ALL categories, we observed a significantly higher frequency of HLA-C*12 [p = 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 7.58] allele groups. In the AML category, significant associations were observed between AML and the HLA-C*12 (p = 0.0001; OR = 10.35) and HLA-C*08 (p = 0.005; OR = 8.92) allele groups.

Our findings show a strong association between HLA-C*12 and HLA-C*08 allele groups and AL, including both ALL and AML, which gives evidence of a predisposing effect. This highlights the influence of HLA polymorphism in the occurrence or resistance of AL in our population.