HLA-DRB genotypes in Japanese patients with renal cell carcinoma

Objectives: Several clinical features, such as the spontaneous regression o f some renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastases after nephrectomy, suggest imm une involvement in tumor destruction. Patients and Methods: We investigated the role of genetic variation at the HLA class II loci in RCC by analyzing the HLA-DR antigen and HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 alleles in 55 patient s using the polymerase chain rection. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of the HLA-DR antigen or HLA-DR B3, DRB4, or DRB5 genes between the patients and a healthy control group. O n the other hand, the HLA-DRB1*0403 and *1202 alleles were significantly mo re frequent in the patients than in the controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, r espectively). Conclusion: RCC might be linked to these two alleles in Japan ese patients. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.