KIR2DL2/S2 and HLA-C C1C1 genotype is associated with better response to treatment and prolonged survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer in a Polish Caucasian population

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a multifactorial disease influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Here, we examined whether the repertoire of genes encoding killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and genes for their ligands, C1/C2 and Bw4, may affect a susceptibility to NSCLC and response to treatment. We typed 269 NSCLC patients and 690 healthy control individuals for KIR genes and for their ligands. KIR genes were not associated with NSCLC. C1C2 genotype was less frequent whereas both C1C1 and C2C2 homozygotes were more frequent in patients than in controls (χ2 = 7.73; df = 2; p = 0.021). Patients positive for KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2 gene and homozygous for the C1 ligand were 6 times more likely to respond to treatment than those with other genotypes (p = 0.034). In accordance with this, patients with the KIR2DL2+/KIR2DS2+, C1C1 genotype survived longer than others (p = 0.0094). Median survival was 23 months for KIR2DL2/2DS2/C1C1-positive patients, but only 10 months for those with other genotypes.