HLA antigens in renal cell carcinoma.

HLA antigen type was studied in 35 renal cell carcinoma patients who had bilateral disease, an early age of onset (less than age 45), or a family history of kidney cancer. Increased frequencies of the single-locus antigens HLA-DR8 (relative risk, 3.3) and HLA-Bw44 (relative risk, 2.1) and a deficit of HLA-DR1 (relative risk, 0.4) were found. Although based on small numbers, the relative excess was highest among persons phenotypically HLA-Bw44DR8. A higher frequency of the three-locus phenotype HLA-A3B7DR2 was also noted. The unusual HLA patterns were most pronounced among patients of German or Scandinavian origin, population groups reported to have an elevated risk of renal cancer.