Is immune escape via human leukocyte antigen expression clinically relevant in chronic lymphocytic leukemia? Focus on the controversies.
Changes in classical and non-classical human leukocyte antigen expression by tumor cells can play a critical role in the generation of tumor antigen-specific immune responses and can modulate the interactions of natural killer cells and T cell subpopulations with target cells. Recently, several studies have investigated the relations between HLA molecules and prognosis in B-CLL, suggesting a potential clinical relevance of tumor escape mechanisms. In this paper, we will summarize conflicting information about the role of HLA-related prognostic factors in B-CLL, such as downregulation of HLA class I antigen expression, interactions between natural killer cell receptor and certain ligands and the role of HLA-G expression.
Laboratoire d'Hématologie et d'Histocompatibilité, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens, France. guillaume.nicolas@chu-amiens.fr
Nicolas
N
Guillaume
Jean-Pierre
JP
Marolleau
D015536:Down-Regulation; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D009154:Mutation; D011379:Prognosis; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / Q000276:immunology; D019139:Tumor Escape
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell