The effect of HLA-DR matching was retrospectively examined at DNA level on rejection and graft survival of cadaver renal transplantation. HLA-DR matching was typed by PCR-SSP technique in 318 cyclosporine-treated primary cadaveric renal recipients. The recipients were divided into three groups:no DR mismatching (0MM), one DR mismatching (1MM) and two DR mismatching (2MM). The effect of genomic HLA-DR compatibility on early kidney function, acute rejection, steroid pulses and 1 year graft survival was retrospectively analyzed. HLA-DR alleles in all samples were successfully genotyped by PCR-SSP. The overall time of DNA typing was 4 hours. The patients well-matched(0MM),moderately-matched(1MM) and poorly-matched(2MM) were 11.6%, 51.9% and 36.5%, respectively. The total rejection rate, 1 year patient survival and graft survival in 318 recipients were 49.1%, 94.3% and 90.3%. Early graft function, acute rejection episodes, steroid pulses and graft survival in well-matched recipients were better than those in poorly-matched patients. In particular, significant difference was found in acute rejection episodes and 1 year graft survival,suggesting genomic compatibility of HLA-DR has effect on acute rejection and graft survival in cadaver kidney transplantation.