Does HLA type predispose some individuals to cancer?

Polymorphic human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are pivotal to the functioning immune system, and strong autoimmune disease association s with human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) have been established, although the precise mechanisms of these associations are not fully defined. There is no w clear evidence of immunosurveillance in cancer, thus it seems reasonable to hypothesize that HLA types might predispose some individuals to particul ar malignancies. In addition, HLAs could influence the susceptibility or pr ogression of a malignancy, and this might be most apparent in virally assoc iated cancers. This article discusses the results and problems of searching for such HLAs and cancer associations. To date, it appears that no strong associations between HLAs and cancer risk exist.