HLA-DR antigen expression in colorectal carcinomas: influence of expression by IFN-gamma in situ and its association with tumour progression.

The authors attempted to investigate the host's immune response against colorectal carcinoma through the expression of HLA-DR antigen on carcinoma cells (Ca) on normal epithelia immediately adjacent to carcinoma (AN) in relation to tumour progression. The expression of HLA-DR antigen on Ca and on normal epithelia, both on AN and those 5-10 cm removed from the carcinoma (RN), were examined immunohistochemically. mRNAs of cytokines, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in both carcinoma and remote normal tissues. The expression of HLA-DR antigen on AN was significantly increased compared with RN. Patients with tumours showing HLA-DR staining both in Ca and AN were in less advanced Dukes' stages (Dukes' A or B) compared with those without the stain. Furthermore, the expression of HLA-DR antigen in normal mucosa coincided significantly with the existence of IFN-gamma mRNA. Detection in carcinoma tissues of IFN-gamma mRNA that leads to the induction of HLA-DR antigen on AN could be an indicator of a host's immune response to carcinoma. These in vivo observations might be clinically applicable to the prediction of patients' immune responsiveness to carcinomas.