HLA-DR4 antigen and lymph node metastases in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach

Abstract

Background. The authors investigated whether HLA antigens could act as a predictor of the risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer. Methods. The microcytotoxicity assay was used to examine 51 HLA antigens of the A, B, C, DR, and DQ loci in 573 patients who underwent resection of gastric cancer. The incidence of HLA antigens in patients with or without lymph node metastasis was analyzed using the chi‐square method. Results. The incidence of patients with HLA‐DR4 antigen with or without lymph node metastasis was 45.9% and 34.8%, respectively (P = 0.0098, corrected P = 0.49). The relative risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with HLA‐DR4 was 1.6. In poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, the incidence of HLA‐DR4 antigen in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher (47.5%) than in patients without lymph node metastasis (18.5%), if corrected P values were tested (P = 0.0007, corrected P = 0.0387). The relative risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with DR4 was 4.0. Conclusions. The data suggest an association between the presence of HLA‐DR4 and an increased risk of lymph node metastasis, especially in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.

HLA-B54 is a candidate of response to Fluoropyrimidine plus PSK therapy in gastric cancer

“…Previously, we found correlations between specific patterns of HLA antigens and metastasis and secondary cancer, in addition to the response to therapies after gastrectomies [6][7][8][9] . However, it remains difficult to predict the response to therapy during the decision making process about treatment.…”

Outcome of HLA-oriented therapy for gastric cancer in retrospective and prospective study.

“…Previously, we found correlations between specific patterns of HLA antigens and metastasis and secondary cancer, in addition to the response to therapies after gastrectomies [13][14][15][16][17][18] .…”

“…We previously reported that Japanese cancer patients could be classified into four groups, Type 1, 2, 3, and 4, according to the incidence of HLA antigens, by using quantification method III [11][12][13] . In that study, we retrospectively examined HLA antigens in gastric cancer patients before surgery and evaluated the surgical outcomes according to the HLA classification by quantification method III.…”