Differential Expression of HLA-G and NF-κB Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications

Abstract

Immune evasion is a key player in breast cancer (BC) progression. This study examines the expression patterns of immunomodulatory molecules HLA-G and NF-κB in breast cancer patients, comparing them with benign breast tumor patients and healthy controls.A total of 45 females were investigated and categorized into three groups: Control (n=10), Benign breast (n=10), and Malignant breast cancer patients (n=25; stage II or higher). Routine laboratory investigations, pathological evaluations, hormone receptor status assessments, and ELISA-based quantification of serum, tissue homogenate, and PBMC lysate levels of HLA-G and NF-κB were performed.Liver and renal function tests revealed no significant difference across groups. WBC count was elevated in the malignant group, suggesting a systemic inflammatory response. The most common histological subtype in the malignant group was invasive ductal carcinoma (84%), with most cases being Grade II and stages II or III. ER and PR positivity was detected in 72% of malignant cases. Tissue HLA-G and NF-κB levels were significantly higher in malignant versus benign tissues (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Serum sHLA-G was significantly elevated in the malignant group compared to controls (p = 0.041). NF-κB expression in PBMCs was markedly upregulated in the malignant group (p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between sHLA-G levels and clinicopathological parameters, although higher levels were observed in patients with hormone receptor positivity and lobular carcinoma.Elevated HLA-G and NF-κB levels in breast cancer patients underscore their potential as immune escape markers and prognostic indicators. Their differential expression across serum, tissue, and PBMCs confirmed tumor-host immune interactions and may aid in refining immunotherapeutic strategies.