Histocompatibility antigens HLA-A, -B, -DR in Greek patients with Kaposi's sarcoma.

Thirty-two Greek patients with histologically documented Kaposi's sarcoma, aged 46 to 82 years, were typed for HLA-A, B and DR antigens. None of them was homosexual and they had not been subjected to any immunosuppressive therapy. The study revealed a significant increase of HLA-DR5 (53.1% vs. 21.4%, R.R. 4.1) and a decreased frequency of HLA-DR1 (3.3% vs. 16.6%, R.R. 0.16). An increased frequency of HLA-B18 was also noted (43.7% vs. 20.7% R.R. 2.96). These results indicate that the same positive association with HLA-DR5 antigen is observed in Greek patients as in other patients of Mediterranean origin and support the view that HLA linked factor(s) may have a role in the development of the disease.