HLA PHENOTYPES AND MULTIPLE BASAL-CELL CARCINOMAS

Background: Previous investigators noted an association of multiple ba sal cell carcinomas (BCC) with certain HLA antigens; however, these fi ndings were contradictory, and the associations were only weak. Object ive: The aim of the study was to objectify the previously found associ ations. Methods: Serologic HLA typing for class I and class II antigen s was performed in 49 unrelated patients with 5 or more BCCs. Results: HLA-DR4 showed decreased frequencies in the patient group as compared with healthy controls (n = 716). Cw7 was found to be increased in the total group of patients as well as in a subgroup with multiple BCCs o f the face (n = 24), while a subgroup with BCCs mainly on the trunk (n = 25) revealed increased frequencies of HLA-A11, -B17, -B22 and -Cw3. However, none of these deviations appeared significant after correcti on of p values. Conclusion: We conclude that, if at all, the HLA syste m plays only a minor role in the development of multiple BCCs.