OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the genetic background of donor KIR/recipient HLA and the outcomes in HLA-identical sibling HSCT.

METHODSHLA genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-SSOP) and/or PCR-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). Donor KIR genotype was determined by PCR-SSP. A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the outcomes of 59 patients with various hematologic malignancies received non T-cell-depleted transplant from HLA-identical sibling donors.

RESULTSIncidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was significantly lower in patients of KIR/HLA matched group than in KIR/HLA mismatched group (32% vs 78%, P = 0.026). The incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD (24% vs 61%, P = 0.018) and fungus infection (14% vs 44%, P = 0.028) were significantly lower in Bw4 matched group than in Bw4 mismatched group. In myeloid diseases, Bw4 matched patients had much lower incidence of fungus infection (12% vs 80%, P = 0.002) compared with Bw4 mismatched patients, and C2 matched patients had higher overall survival (OS) compared with C2 mismatched patients (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDonor KIR/recipient HLA genetic background is correlated with the outcomes of HLA-identical sibling HSCT in incidences of grade II-IV aGVHD, fungus infection and OS. KIR/HLA matched patients may have lower incidence of aGVHD. Bw4 matched patients may have lower incidences of aGVHD and fungus infection. C2 matched patients may have longer OS.