HLA-A and HLA-B antigens in acute leukemia: A2--B12 phenotypes correlate with longer survival in acute myelogenous leukemia

Abstract

89 patients with acute leukemia were studied for the frequencies of HLA-A and HLA-B antigens. In this series, the frequency of the antigen A2 was increased in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and that of B12 in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. No precise antigen was associated with acute myeloblastic leukemia at presentation, but survival analysis showed that patients positive for the antigen(s) A2 and/or B12 did significantly better in terms of mean survival. Mechanisms by which HLA antigens may interact with the established disease and with the treatment are discussed.