Human Leukocyte Antigens and Prognosis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: Results of a Prospective Follow-up Study

• Published in: The Laryngoscope Vol. 112; no. 4; pp. 651 - 657
• Main Authors: Tisch, M., Kyrberg, H., Weidauer, H., Mytilineos, J., Conradt, C., Opelz, G., Maier, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-04-2002; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - mortality; Follow-Up Studies; head and neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - immunology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - mortality; HLA Antigens - analysis; HLA-A Antigens - analysis; HLA-A11 Antigen; HLA-antigens; HLA-DR6 Antigen - analysis; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Otorhinolaryngology (head neck, general aspects and miscellaneous); Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prognosis; Survival Analysis; Survival Rate; Time Factors; Tumors; Human; Prospective; HLA-System; Squamous cell carcinoma; Prognosis; Follow up study; HLA-DR-System; Head and neck; ENT disease; Malignant tumor; Survival
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1097/00005537-200204000-00011

Background Prognostic information is essential for optimal treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. We studied the relationship of class I and class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) on prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer.
Methods HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐DR antigens were determined in 209 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. The patients were subjected to follow‐up investigations for a period of 5 years.
Results Five‐year survival rates in relation to tumor stage varied between 86% for stage I tumors and 28% for stage IV tumors (P <.0001, log‐rank trend test). The HLA‐A11 antigen showed a significant negative correlation with survival. While the 5‐year survival of 124 HLA‐A11‐negative patients was 58%, none of the 17 HLA‐A11‐positive patients survived 5 years (P = .0002). A significant negative correlation with survival was also observed for HLA‐DR6. While the 5‐year survival rate of 106 HLA‐DR6‐negative patients was 60%, it was only 40% in 35 HLA‐DR6‐positive patients (P = .0313).
Conclusions If the findings of our study can be confirmed, HLA‐A11 and HLA‐DR6 might become clinically important supplemental prognostic markers in head and neck cancer.