Is olfactory detection of human cancer by dogs based on major histocompatibility complexdependent odour components? A possible cure and a precocious diagnosis of cancer

Given the reports made about dogs detecting cancer on the basis of odour, our hypothesis is that the volatile organic compounds produced by tumours, and detected by dogs, are products of MHC genes. Two lines of evidences support this hypothesis: (1) human body odour is genetically determined by MHC. These antigen molecules (HLA in humans) have soluble and detectable isoforms that are present in body fluids such as blood, urine and sweat; (2) there is a strong association between changes in HLA expression and cancer. Tumour transformation is frequently associated with low classical HLA class I molecules expression, namely HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C. In addition, cancer is associated with high nonclassical HLA class I molecules expression, such as HLA-G and HLA-E. These evidences suggest that these HLA-associated olfactory cues of human cancer could be easily analysed, for example, by the electronic nose, making possible a very precocious and reliable diagnostic of cancer. Because cancer immunescape mechanism is similar to that observed in the materno-fetal immune tolerance, we propose also that immunomodulatory abortifacients could be a good strategy in cancer treatment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.