Purpose: The major histocompatibility complex class I related A (MICA) and MICB molecules are ligands of NKG2D receptors on natural killer cells, gamma/delta T cells, and CD8ass T cells that mediate host antitumor immune response. The role of MICA-TM and MICB C1_2_A alleles in patients with colorectal cancer has not yet been investigated.
Methods: We have analyzed the MICA-TM and MICB C1_2_A polymorphisms in colorectal cancer patients (n = 79) by polymerase chain reaction amplification, subsequent electrophoresis, and sequencing in comparison to a previously analyzed cohort of healthy controls (n = 306). Allele frequencies obtained for MICA-TM and MICB C1_2_A were compared to histopathological data regarding tumor invasion, disease progression, microsatellite instability, and the presence of KRAS mutations (codon 12) and analyzed for possible impact on tumor-related survival (n = 61).
Results: Allele frequencies of MICA-TM and MICB C1_2_A polymorphisms were not different in patients with colorectal cancer in comparison to normal controls. In colorectal cancer patients, MICA-TM A4 allele was directly and MICA-TM A5 allele was inversely associated with lymph node involvement and advanced UICC stages. Tumor-related survival in colorectal cancer patients was significantly reduced in the presence of the MICA-TM A4 allele (p = 0.015). In patients with microsatellite stable tumors, survival was reduced in association with the MICA-TM A4 allele (p = 0.006) and MICA-TM A9 allele (p = 0.034), but increased in patients showing the MICA-TM A5 allele (p = 0.042).
Conclusions: Specific MICA-TM alleles seem to influence tumor progression and midterm survival of patients with colorectal cancer, indicating an important role of host innate immune predisposition involving NKG2D mediated antitumor response.