HLA genes are highly polymorphic, meaning there is a great deal of variability in the population. This polymorphism can influence the effectiveness of cancer vaccines and other immunotherapies. For instance, certain HLA types may be better at presenting specific tumor antigens, leading to more robust immune responses. Conversely, some HLA alleles may be associated with poorer outcomes due to ineffective antigen presentation or increased susceptibility to immune evasion by tumors.