Previous reports have suggested that the risk of cervical cancer may be associated with specific HLA alleles or HLA-linked
genes. Several studies have indicated that the cellular immune response is essential for clearance of HPV infection.Different combinations of HLA class II molecules and antigenic peptides may influence cytokine production during the early stage of the immune response to HPV infection. The peptide epitopes that are encoded by HLA susceptibility alleles are unable to present cervical cancer-derived antigens to T cells, and the cervical cancer risk may be increased or decreased depending on the HLA class II alleles.In a previous study we indicated that HLA-A*0206 is a protective allele against the development of cervical cancer by presenting HPV16E711-20 and the peptide epitope of E786-93 to antigen-presenting cells and provoking cytotoxic T lymphocytes to destroy target cells. In this study, we focused on HLA class II alleles that are associated with the presentation of cancer antigens.