HLA antigens and immunoglobulin allotypes in patients with malignant melanoma

HLA antigens and Gm, A2m, and Km allotypes were examined in Caucasian patients with malignant melanoma. No significant associations were found for any of the HLA antigens tested. Significant association was found with Gm(2), and the relative risk for individuals with this marker was calculated at 1.9. The data indicate that Caucasians positive for Gm(2) are almost twice as likely to develop malignant melanoma as those without this marker.