HLA

Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology

HLA
Stands forHuman leukocyte antigen
CategoriesMedical

HLA stands for Human leukocyte antigen, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.

Proteins on the surface of most cells that let the immune system distinguish self from non-self, encoded by highly variable genes on chromosome 6. HLA matching between donor and recipient is crucial for stem cell transplantation and affects organ transplant outcomes.

Example: HLA typing: 8/8 matched unrelated donor identified through the registry.

Usage notes

Siblings have a 25 percent chance of being a full HLA match. Because HLA types vary by ancestry, patients from underrepresented groups have historically had lower chances of finding matched unrelated donors, a gap narrowed by haploidentical and cord blood transplants. Certain HLA types also predict drug reactions, such as HLA-B*57:01 with abacavir, and diseases such as HLA-B27 with ankylosing spondylitis.

More hematology and oncology abbreviations

  • HbS – Hemoglobin S
  • HCT – Hematopoietic cell transplantation
  • HD – Hodgkin disease
  • HER2 – Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
  • HIT – Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
  • HL – Hodgkin lymphoma
  • HLH – Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
  • HNSCC – Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
  • HR+ – Hormone receptor-positive
  • HS – Hereditary spherocytosis
  • HSCT – Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
  • Hyper-CVAD – Hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, Adriamycin…

See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.