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Loss of Colonic HLA Antigens in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis¹

Departments of Medicine [B. R., C. J. M.], Surgery [G. T., N. S-S., J. J. D.], and Pathology [T. A. G.], Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York 10021; and Department of Biostatistics, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhassett, New York 11030 [M. F. G.]

The loss of HLA antigens by neoplastic cells is considered important for tumor growth and metastasis, since it may allow tumors to escape immune surveillance. We studied the expression of HLA class I and II antigens in the colons of 10 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a condition which leads inevitably to colorectal cancer. Expression of HLA class antigens was studied by immunohistochemistry in (a) adenomas from patients with FAP, (b) histologically normal mucosa distant from the adenomas, and (c) histologically normal colonic mucosa from normal subjects. The expression of HLA class I and II antigens was decreased in histologically normal mucosa from FAP patients compared to normal controls. Adenomas showed a similar but quantitatively more pronounced reduction (or loss) of HLA antigen expression. The reduction of HLA expression in adenomas was comparable to that observed in sporadic colon carcinomas. This generalized suppression of HLA gene expression in the colon of FAP patients, which precedes the onset of overt histological manifestations of neoplasia, may be an important early event in colon carcinogenesis.

¹ Supported by grants from the American Cancer Society (IM-594), Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutics, Inc., and the Cancer Prevention Fund.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Department of Medicine F-231, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Received 1/ 2/92. Accepted 4/ 6/92.

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