Human leukocyte antigens and prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer: results of a prospective follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Prognostic information is essential for optimal treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. We studied the relationship of class I and class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) on prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer.


METHODS
HLA-A, -B, -C and -DR antigens were determined in 209 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. The patients were subjected to follow-up investigations for a period of 5 years.


RESULTS
Five-year survival rates in relation to tumor stage varied between 86% for stage I tumors and 28% for stage IV tumors (P <.0001, log-rank trend test). The EBA-A11 antigen showed a significant negative correlation with survival. While the 5-year survival of 124 HELA-A11-negative patients was 58%, none of the 17 HLA-A11-positive patients survived 5 years (P = .0002). A significant negative correlation with survival was also observed for HLA-DR6. While the 5-year survival rate of 106 HLA-DR6-negative patients was 60%, it was only 40% in 35 HLA-DR6-positive patients (P = .0313).


CONCLUSIONS
If the findings of our study can be confirmed, HLA-A11 and HLA-DR6 might become clinically important supplemental prognostic markers in head and neck cancer.
Tisch
M
M
Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Federal Armed Hospital Ulm, Germany. matthias.tisch@extern.uni-ulm.de
Kyrberg
H
H
Weidauer
H
H
Mytilineos
J
J
Conradt
C
C
Opelz
G
G
Maier
H
H
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D059870:HLA-A11 Antigen; D015808:HLA-DR6 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D059870:HLA-A11 Antigen; D015808:HLA-DR6 Antigen