HLA ANTIGENS IN LEUKEMIA

The HLA frequency of 197 leukemic patients - 66 affected by ALL, 57 by ANLL and 74 by CML - was compared with the frequency of HLA antigens in Caucasic population and that reported in our bone marrow donors reg istry. The data obtained with regard to control populations show a sig nificant association between B18 and ALL, B35 and CML; no significant associations were found with ANLL. This suggests that one or more HLA- linked factors or a peculiar HLA antigen could confer susceptibility t o leukemia.