Fine mapping of MHC region in lung cancer highlights independent susceptibility loci by ethnicity

A new large-scale study by scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partners analysed genetic variations in lung cancer patients and controls. The study looked at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a region where genetic associations with lung cancer have been shown. Variations were found within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, a genetic region important for regulation of the immune system. This finding is important because it may help to clarify causes of lung cancer beyond the predominant role of smoking. Results were compared between ethnicities, and several independent associations with lung cancer were identified within HLA genes, but not elsewhere. These results indicate that genes that control the immune system play a fundamental role in influencing the development of a specific histological subtype of lung cancer by ethnicity.

Ferreiro-Iglesias A, Lesseur C, McKay J, Hung RJ, Han Y, Zong X, et al.
Fine mapping of MHC region in lung cancer highlights independent susceptibility loci by ethnicity
Nat Commun, Published online 25 September 2018;
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05890-2

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