In conclusion, retention or downregulation of HLA expression in cHL is associated with the HLA-DRB1*07 protective allele in cHL overall, the HLA-DRB1*15/16 risk allele in EBV− cHL and the HLA-B*37 risk allele in EBV+ cHL. Here, HLA-DRB1 is linked to classic Hodgkin lymphoma.