This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Redondo, M. Articles by Ruiz-Cabello, F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Redondo, M. Articles by Ruiz-Cabello, F.

Expression of HLA Class I and II Antigens in Bronchogenic Carcinomas: Its Relationship to Cellular DNA Content and Clinical-Pathological Parameters¹

Servicio de Analisis Clinicos e Inmunologia [M. R., F. G., F. R-C.], Servicio de Anatomia Patológica [A. Co.], and Servicio de Cirugia Torácica [A. Cu.], Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Universidad de Granada, Granada E-18014; Departamento de Estadistica, Universidad de Granada [A. G.], Granada E-18071; and Servicio de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital Marques de Valdecilla [R. O.], Santander E-39010, Spain

We studied the presence of HLA class I antigens in 115 samples of bronchogenic carcinomas (66 frozen and 49 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens) by the immunophosphatase alkaline and immunoperoxidase methods with antibodies against major histocompatibility complex antigens. We also studied HLA class II antigens on the 66 frozen tumor samples. Nonneoplastic lung tissue was also analyzed for purposes of comparison.

Pneumocytes and epithelial respiratory cells expressed HLA class I and II antigens. The expression of class I antigens was totally lost in 29 tumors (25%). The defect in HLA gene expression affected both heavy chain and ß₂-microglobulin, as demonstrated by the null reactivity with specific antibodies. In 2 cases of 66 studied in cryostatic section, the selective loss of A locus was observed, and in three cases selective loss of B locus was detected.

The expression of class I antigens was compared with clinical-pathological parameters such as histological type, degree of differentiation, and tumor stage, as well as tumoral ploidy. The absence of expression of HLA class I molecules was significantly associated with poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumors (P < 0.0001) and with aneuploid tumors (P < 0.001), suggesting that some lung tumors may escape immune surveillance and become biologically more aggressive.

Class II antigens were expressed in 13 cases of 66 studied (18%) in frozen specimens, and a clear relationship was observed with well-differentiated tumors (P < 0.05).

¹ This work was partially supported by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social and the Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Universidad de Granada, Spain.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 3/25/91. Accepted 7/ 8/91.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Konishi, K. Yamazaki, M. Azuma, I. Kinoshita, H. Dosaka-Akita, and M. Nishimura B7-H1 Expression on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Its Relationship with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Their PD-1 Expression Clin. Cancer Res., August 1, 2004; 10(15): 5094 - 5100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. So, M. Takenoyama, M. Sugaya, M. Yasuda, R. Eifuku, T. Yoshimatsu, T. Hanagiri, T. Oyama, M. Kodate, T. Osaki, et al. Generation of Autologous Tumor-specific T Cell Clones From a Patient With Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Lung Jpn. J. Clin. Oncol., July 1, 2001; 31(7): 311 - 317. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R. Grandis, D. M. Falkner, M. F. Melhem, W. E. Gooding, S. D. Drenning, and P. A. Morel Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Allelic and Haplotype Loss in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Clinical and Immunogenetic Consequences Clin. Cancer Res., July 1, 2000; 6(7): 2794 - 2802. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. Passlick, J. R. Izbicki, B. Kubuschok, O. Thetter, and K. Pantel Detection of Disseminated Lung Cancer Cells in Lymph Nodes: Impact on Staging and Prognosis Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 1996; 61(1): 177 - 182. [Abstract] [Full Text]