Histocompatibility antigens in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The distribution of class I (A, B, C) and class II (DR antigens) histocompatibility antigens (HLA) was examined in 82 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in 147 patients with chronic liver disease as controls. The diagnosis of HCC was confirmed by histological examination of liver tissue. HLA-B15 antigen was found more frequently in the subgroup of HCC patients who were positive for HBsAG (13/36, 36.1%) compared to the control group (8/147; 5.4%) [p < 0.001, Pc < 0.05, RR = 9.8] and a HBsAg positive control subgroup (1/25, 4%) [p < 0.001, Pc < 0.05, RR = 13.6]. No other statistically significant difference was found for any of the HLA antigens examined either in HCC patients as a whole group or in the subgroups according to sex, course of illness, AFP status, alcohol consumption, liver cirrhosis or blood groups. These data are further evidence that there may be a link between hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection and HLA antigens. The association of HLA-B15 antigen and HbsAg supports the idea of some genetic control of HBV infection in the patients with HCC.