Altered expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens by epidermal tumours

Alteration in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression by cutaneous tumours may enable them to escape host defence mechanisms and to invade surrounding tissue. Immunohistochemical studies in a wide range of epidermally derived tumours demonstrated expression by keratinocytes of the class II molecule HLA-DR in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (2 of 8 cases) and keratoacanthoma (KA) (2 of 7 cases). Additionally, HLA-DP and DQ were expressed by single cases of SCC and KA, although, unlike the widespread distribution of DR, DP and DQ, were only present on keratinocytes adjacent to the inflammatory infiltrate. Therefore, keratinocytes in cutaneous tumours, like carcinoma cells of the colon and breast, may express class II MHC antigens during tumour growth. Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), an invariant MHC class I marker, was absent in all cases of basal cell carcinoma. Variable loss of B2M was observed in squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease and actinic keratoses, suggesting reduced B2M expression by dysplastic cells. However, the variability in B2M staining both between and within diagnostic categories restricts it's immunodiagnostic usefulness.