HLA molecule expression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas: an immunopathological study and clinical-immunohistopathological correlations

Abstract

A correlation between the lack of MHC class 1 gene expression on murine tumor cells and their ability to grow and metastasize has recently been established. This paper studies HLA-ABC and HLA-DR antigen expression in tumor cells and mononuclear infiltrate of 26 cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Our results showed a heterogeneous expression of HLA class 1 molecules in these tumors. No significant correlation between the degree of HLA class 1 molecule expression and anatomical-clinical parameters was found. Class 11 antigen expression was correlated to the histopathological type and to the degree of cell differentiation. Most mononuclear cells infiltrating the tumor were T-lymphocytes. No correlation with anatomical-clinical parameters was found.