EHA 2021 | Downregulation of HLA expression in acute leukemia relapsed after transplantation
Hui Wang, PhD, Hebei Yanda Ludaopei Hospital, Langfang, China, discusses the downregulation of HLA expression and correlation with measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute leukemias who relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Data was analysed from 32 patients with recurrent acute leukemias who relapsed after allo-HSCT. HLA-II antigen expression was downregulated in 43.75% of patients after transplantation, and this downregulation was positively correlated with the duration on MRD. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia involving chromosome 3 at diagnosis were more prone to downregulation of HLA class II protein expression. 77% of relapses after transplantation were associated with new chromosomal abnormalities, however no correlation was detected between HLA-II downregulation and new chromosomal abnormalities. This interview took place at the virtual European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress 2021.
