HLA TYPING IN HAIRY-CELL LEUKEMIA (HCL) - REPORT OF A FAMILIAL HCL AND AN ASSOCIATION OF HCL WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA

In the few cases of familial Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) previously desc ribed, no common HLA antigen or haplotype was documented. The occurren ce of HCL in two siblings (Family A) and the association of HCL and Ch ronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in two siblings (Family B) are report ed. The HLA typing performed in all siblings of the two families does not show a common haplotype in the four probands, but a recurrence of a II class antigen DR5 was detected . An increased incidence of this a ntigen was found in a small series of non familial HCL and CLL patient s when compared to normal controls. In order to clarify the role of HL A antigens in the occurrence of these disorders, a larger series of ca ses should be studied.