No association between HLA antigens and adenocarcinoma of the lung in non-smoking Chinese women in Hong Kong.

A high incidence rate of lung cancer with preponderance of adenocarcinoma in non-smokers has been reported in women of southern Chinese ethnic origin. Thirty-three southern Chinese female patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the lung, all lifelong non-smokers, were typed for HLA-A and B antigens to study the possibility of genetically determined susceptibility factors. The antigen frequencies were compared with those of 110 healthy controls. No significant difference in antigen frequencies was found in the patients compared with controls. Studies on other possible factors determining susceptibility to lung cancer in Chinese women are necessary.