The possible role of the tumour necrosis factor polymorphisms and human leucocyte antigens in the development of prostate cancer

Summary The cause of prostate cancer ( PC ), one of the most common cancers found among ageing men, remains unclear, but genetic predisposition is believed to play a major role in its aetiology. The aim of the study was to examine HLA genes polymorphism and TNF polymorphisms in PC development. Patients diagnosed with PC ( N  = 113) and 150 healthy individuals were tested for HLA ‐A, HLA ‐B and HLA ‐ DRB 1 genes and for TNF a, TNF b and TNF d microsatellites. The comparison of patients and controls revealed a positive association of HLA ‐ DRB 1*12, TNF a2 and TNF b5, and a negative association of HLA ‐ DRB 1*13 and TNF b4 with PC . A division of patients into groups according to age, pre‐operative PSA level, Gleason score ( GS ) and involvement of prostatic capsule, seminal vesicles or bladder neck and perineural invasion of PC demonstrated the following: a positive correlation of HLA ‐ DRB 1*12 and a negative correlation of HLA ‐ DRB 1*13 with younger patients (<65 years), GS  > 7 and the positive association of prostatic capsule, seminal vesicles, bladder neck and perineural invasion of PC ; TNF b4 allele's negative association with older patients displaying higher PSA levels, higher GS and positive surrounding tissue involvement; positive association of TNF b5 allele for both older and younger patients. Investigation of HLA genes and TNF microsatellites demonstrated a possible role of HLA ‐ DRB 1 and TNF regions in PC aetiology.