Survival of the fittest or best adapted: HLA-dependent tumor development

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) comprises a set of genes that are critical to immunity and surveillance against neoplastic transformation. There is increasing evidence that the MHC antigens not only regulate antitumor immune responses in experimental animal models but directly correlate with survival and prognosis of patients with diverse types of cancers. MHC antigens may in the future function as potential biomarkers for prognosis and allow selection of cancer patients for intensive therapy.