HLA-G as predisposing for metastasis

HLA-G, a very conserved non-classical class I human leukocyte antigen, is highly expressed in cancer pathologies. Recent evidences about HLA-G implication in immune tolerance announce the probable association between HLA-G and metastasis. We highlighted here possible mechanisms for link between HLA-G regulation and cascade metastasis including initiation, progression, and virulence steps. A thorough understanding of HLA-G implications in metastasis through future clinical studies, may probably lead to the improvement of cancer therapies and the limitation of relapses and metastasis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.