Prognostic significance of HLA class I expression in Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors

Background Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is one of the most malignant groups of tumors in young people. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I displays endogenously processed peptides to CD8+ T lymphocytes and has a key role for host immune surveillance. In ESFT, the investigation concerning both HLA class I expression and T‐cell infiltration has yet to be reported. Methods Biopsy specimens from 28 ESFT patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry with the anti‐HLA class I monoclonal antibody (mAb) EMR8‐5 and anti‐CD8 mAb, respectively. Results Expression of HLA class I was negative in 10 tumors and down‐regulated in 22 tumors. The status of CD8+ T cell infiltration was closely associated with the expression levels of HLA class I. ESFT patients with down‐regulated or negative expression of HLA class I showed significantly poorer survival than the rest of the patients. Conclusions Our results suggested that CD8+ T cell‐mediated immune response restricted by HLA class I might play an important role in immune surveillance of ESFT, and we revealed for the first time that the status of HLA class I expression affects the survival of the patients with ESFT. J. Surg. Oncol. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:380–385. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.