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Abstract Convincing clinical evidence indicates that the limited success of T-cell–based immunotherapy of malignant diseases is caused, at least in part, by the ability of malignant cells to escape from immune recognition and destruction. Among the multiple escape mechanisms identified, a major role is played by changes in the expression and/or function of HLA antigens expressed by tumor cells, because they may markedly affect tumor cell-host's immune system interactions. In this article, we review the data about the aberrant expression of the nonclassical HLA class I antigen HLA-G by tumor cells. Furthermore, we discuss the possible reasons for the conflicting information in the literature about HLA-G antigen expression by malignant cells. Lastly, in light of the well-documented immunotolerant function of HLA-G, we discuss the potential role of these antigens in the escape of tumor cells from immune recognition and destruction and in the clinical course of malignant diseases.
Rouas‐Freiss et al. (2005) studied this question.