Tumor-Specific Histo-Blood Group Antigens: Apropos of Two Cases

Cancer cells with immunogenic properties having altered protein glycosylation, modified blood group substances have been widely studied. Due to the genetic instability occurring during carcinogenesis the glycosyltransferases may suffer from posttranslation sequence modification. The author describes 2 autopsy cases, where in the background of the unusual metastatic tumor presentation, incompatible blood group antigenic determinants have been demonstrated using blood group specific lectins and monoclonal antibodies (mAb). In the first case, reported here, a 10-year-old girl developed an acute myeloid leukemia and died in a septic endotoxin shock after successful cytostatic treatment of a juvenile signet ring cell cancer of her colon. At autopsy there were no signs of tumor except bilateral apple-sized mucinous ovarian (Krukenberg) metastases. While she had erythrocyte phenotype of blood group A, the signet ring adenocarcinoma cells expressed blood group B incompatible antigenic determinants with lectin/mAb. In the second case, the autopsy of a 78-year-old female resulted in no macroscopic tumor sign except a moderately enlarged, ham hard spleen. Light microscopy revealed adenocarcinomatous infiltration in the splenic sinusoids. The patient had blood group O, while the metastatic cells in the spleen reacted with Breast Carcinoma Antigen (BioGenex) and incompatible anti-B Banderiaeasimplicifolia agglutinin I and anti-B mAb. It proved to be a case of an occult, completely regressed breast cancer. Based on these observations the expression of tumor specific incompatible blood group antigens might occur from time to time, mostly in adenocarcinomas. Accordingly, blood group-based specific immuno-oncotherapy could be considered in some cancer cases.

Blood group type antigens in pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

BACKGROUND: There are few data on blood group(BG) types and types of pancreatic cancers. The aims of this study were to study BG types and BG-antigens in pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(IPMNs). METHODS: BG type and tumor BG-antigen(glycoprotein) expression(studied by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays) were analyzed with regard to characteristics of 101 surgically resected pancreatic IPMNs. RESULTS: Non-O BG type predicted invasive carcinoma independently from high serum CA19-9 and male gender. BG type A was observed more frequently in women than in men. Chronic pancreatitis was more frequently seen in patients with BG type B or AB. Aberrant tumor expression(with regard to BG type) of loss of A antigen expression type occurred in 15.0% of IPMNs and of loss of B antigen expression type in 62.5% of IPMNs. Intraneoplasm BG-antigen expression was not related to dysplasia grade or invasion. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that in pancreatic IPMN, non-O BG type predicted invasive carcinoma, whereas for intratumor BG-antigen expression no specific patterns were detected with regard to the progression of glandular epithelial dysplasia or invasion.

Genetic screening of 5 blood group systems of Li ethnic group in Hainan province and establishment of rare blood group bank

Objective:To screen the blood group system genes of Duffy,Lutheran,Kidd,Diego,Dombrock blood group systems of Li ethnic group in Hainan Province and provide laboratory data for the rare blood group database in this area.Methods:The alleles of Duffy,Lutheran,Kidd,Diego,Dombrock blood group systems of 300 voluntary participants of Li ethnic group in Hainan were detected by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction,and the polymorphism was analyzed.Results:The allele frequencies of Duffy,Lutheran,Kidd,Diego,Dombrock blood group systems of Li ethnic groups in Hainan Province are 0.9583 for Fy^(a),0.0417 for Fy^(b),0.8350 for Au^(a),0.1650 for Au^(b),0.4500 for Jk^(a),0.5500 for Jk^(b),0.0667 for Di^(a),0.9333 for Di^(b),0.1017 for Doa and 0.8983 for Dob,respectively.The antigen incompatibility rates of Fy^(a)/Fy^(b),Au^(a)/Au^(b),Jk^(a)/Jk^(b),Di^(a)/Di^(b),Doa/Dob of Duffy,Lutheran,Kidd,Diego,Dombrock blood group systems were 7.67%,23.76%,37.25%,11.67%and 16.60%,respectively.Conclusion:The gene frequencies of Duffy,Lutheran,Kidd,Diego,Dombrock blood group systems of Li ethnic group in Hainan Province are polymorphic,and the antigen incompatibility rates of alleles are higher,which is quite different from that of other nationalities in China and with unique ethnic distribution characteristics.It is of great significance to establish the rare blood group database in this region.

Significant association between ABO blood group and pancreatic cancer

AIM:To evaluate whether the ABO blood group is related to pancreatic cancer risk in the general population of the United States.METHODS:Using the University of Pittsburgh's clinicalpancreatic cancer registry,the blood donor database from our local blood bank (Central Blood Bank),and the blood product recipient database from the regional transfusion service (Centralized Transfusion Service) in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,we identified 274 pancreatic cancer patients with previously determined serological ABO blood group information.The ABO blood group frequency was compared between these patients and 708842 individual,community-based blood donors who had made donations to Pittsburgh's Central Blood Bank between 1979 and 2009.RESULTS:The frequency of blood group A was statistically significantly higher amongst pancreatic cancer patients compared to its frequency amongst the regional blood donors [47.63% vs 39.10%,odds ratio (OR)=1.43,P=0.004].Conversely,the frequency of blood group O was significantly lower amongst pancreatic cancer patients relative to the community blood donors (32.12% vs 43.99%,OR=0.60,P=0.00007).There were limited blood group B (n=38) and AB (n=17) pancreatic cancer patients;the overall P trend value comparing patient to donor blood groups was 0.001.CONCLUSION:The ABO blood group is associated with pancreatic cancer risk.Future studies should examine the mechanism linking pancreatic cancer risk to ABO blood group.

Identification and Characterization of Peptide Mimics of Blood Group A Antigen

In order to investigate peptide mimics of carbohydrate blood group A antigen, a phage display 12-mer peptide library was screened with a monoclonal antibody against blood group A antigen, NaM87-1F6. The antibody-binding properties of the selected phage peptides were evaluated by phage ELISA and phage capture assay. The peptides were co-expressed as glutathione S-transferase （GST） fusion proteins. RBC agglutination inhibition assay was performed to assess the natural blood group A antigen-mimicking ability of the fusion proteins. The results showed that seven phage clones selected bound to NaM87-1F6 specifically, among which, 6 clones bore the same peptide sequence, EYWYCGMNRTGC and another harbored a different one QIWYERTLPFTF. The two peptides were successfully expressed at the N terminal of GST protein. Both of the fusion proteins inhibited the RBC agglutination mediated by anti-A serum in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggested that the fusion proteins based on the selected peptides could mimic the blood group A antigen and might be used as anti-A antibody-adsorbing materials when immunoabsorption was applied in ABO incompatible transplantation.

ABO blood group is a predictor of survival in patients with laryngeal cancer

Background: Whether the ABO blood group is associated with the survival of patients with laryngeal cancer remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the ABO blood group and clinico?pathologic characteristics of patients with laryngeal cancer and assess whether the ABO blood group was associated with prognosis.Methods: We analyzed the records of 1260 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent curative treatment at Sun Yat?sen University Cancer Center between January 1993 and December 2009. The Chi?square test was used to assess the relationship between the ABO blood group and clinicopathologic characteristics. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate 3?, 5?, and 10?year overall survival(OS) rates. The Cox proportional hazards model was used in univariate and multivariate analyses of OS.Results: No signiicant association was found between the ABO blood group and clinicopathologic characteristics except for primary tumor site. The median OS for patients with blood groups A, B, AB, and O were 87.0, 80.0, 90.0, and 72.5 months, respectively. The 3?, 5?, and 10?year OS rates were 82.4%, 76.0%, and 67.5% for patients with blood group A; 77.4%, 69.8%, and 58.4% for patients with blood group B; 82.2%, 73.1%, and 65.6% for patients with blood group AB; and 71.7%, 66.4%, and 55.5% for patients with blood group O, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the ABO blood group had signiicant efects on prognosis in patients with laryngeal cancer.Conclusions: The ABO blood group is associated with survival in patients with laryngeal cancer. Patients with blood group O had signiicantly shorter OS than patients with other ABO blood groups.

Comparison of Blood Group Molecular Genotyping to Traditional Serological Phenotyping in Patients with Chronic or Recent Blood Transfusion

Objectives: Accurately identifying the Antigens (Ags) on recipient red blood cells (RBCs) is critical in prevention of RBC alloimmunization in chronically transfused patients. The goal of this study was to compare RBC molecular genotyping to serological phenotyping in those patients. Methods: Serological phenotyping and molecular genotyping methods were used to study blood samples from 18 healthy blood donors and 16 transfused patients. Reticulocyte harvesting or hypotonic cell separation was added to recheck RBC phenotypes of the patients with discrepancies between phenotyping and genotyping. Results: No discrepancies were found between the two genotyping methods in all the donors and patients. 1 of 9 sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients and all 3 thalassemia patients demonstrated discrepancies in multiple blood groups between phenotyping and genotyping, which were not corrected by reticulocyte harvesting or hypotonic cell separation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that RBC molecular genotyping is superior to serological phenotyping in chronically transfused SCD or thalassemia patients.

Clinical significance of the detection of Rh blood group antigens and irregular antibodies in pregnant women with a second pregnancy

Objective:To investigate the phenotype distribution of five antigens of Rh blood group system and the specificity of Rh blood group irregular antibodies in pregnant women with second child.To analyze the relationship between Rh blood group antibody and hemolytic disease of the newborn(HDN)in second-child pregnant women,and to provide laboratory basis for the diagnosis and treatment of hemolytic disease of the newborn(Rh-HDN).Methods:500 pregnant women with second child were collected as the study group and 500 pregnant women with first pregnancy as the control group(all pregnant women underwent obstetric examination in the integrated obsteric clinic of our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021).To detectethe Rh blood group antigens(D,C,c,E,e)of the two groups of samples,screene the irregular antibodies,identify the specificity of irregular antibodies,determine the titer and record the hemolytic disease of the newborn of pregnant women with positive Rh blood group antibodies.Results:There were 11 Rh phenotypes in the pregnant women with second child in the study group:CCDee(152cases,30.4%),CcDEe(136cases,27.2%)CcDee(84cases,16.8%),ccDEE(30cases,6%),ccDee(31cases,6.2%),CCDEe(14cases,2.8%),ccDEe(9cases,1.8%),cc dee(18cases,3.6%),CCDEE(2cases,0.4%),CcdEe(12cases,2.4%),Ccdee(6cases,1.2%),CCd ee(6cases,1.2%).A total of 42 cases(8.4%)in the pregnant women with second child were negative for RhD.There were 10 Rh phenotypes in the pregnant women with first pregnancy in the control group:CCDee(144cases,28.8%),CcDEe(138cases,27.6%),CcDee(90cases,18%),ccDEE(42cases,8.4%),ccDee(28cases,5.6%),CCDEe(10cases,2%),ccDEe(8cases,1.6%),cc dee(19cases,3.8%),CCDEE(1cases,0.2%),CcdEe(11cases,2.2%),Ccdee(9cases,1.8%).A total of 39 cases(7.8%)in the pregnant women with first pregnancy were negative for RhD.In the pregnant women with second child in the study group,the positive rate of irregular antibody screening was 4.0%(20/500),and the specificity of Rh blood group antibodies was found as follows:anti-E 1.8%(9/500),anti-D 1.4%(7/500),anti-C 0.4%(2/500)and anti-Ec 0.4%(2/500).The positive rate of irregular antibody screening in the pregnant women with first pregnancy in the control group was 0,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).Rh-HDN was found in 10 newborns(2%)of the 20 women with positive irregular antibodies in the pregnant women with second child,and the antibody titer during pregnancy was more than 32.No Rh-HDN occurred in newborns in the pregnant women with first pregnancy,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Pregnancy stimulation can increase the probability of irregular antibodies in pregnant women,and irregular antibodies in Rh blood group can easily cause Rh-HDN,so attention should be paid to routine detection of five antigens of Rh blood group and irregular antibody screening during prenatal examination.It is helpful for the early detection of Rh-blood irregular antibodies and the assessment of fetal or neonatal risk of Rh-HDN.

ABO Blood Groups and Their Relationship with Coagulation Factor VIII in Healthy Adults

Background: ABO blood group distribution defers with racial and geographic variations. They are related to diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cerebral thromboembolism. ABO blood group system may influence coagulation factor VIII which may increase the future risk of thrombosis. Aim: To assess the relation of ABO blood group with coagulation factor VIII in healthy adults. Material and Methods: A prospective type of analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020. After obtaining ethical clearance, a total of 190 healthy adults were selected from different areas of Dhaka city based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, with ages ranging from 18 - 45 years. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Individuals of blood group A were selected as group A, blood group B as group B, blood group AB as group AB and blood group O as group O. Coagulation factor VIII was measured in the Department of Hematology and BMT Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Blood grouping was done in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. Statistical Analysis: For statistical analysis, ONE way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test were considered using SPSS 25.0 version. Results: In this study, blood group B was most common (33.2%). Coagulation factor VIII was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in blood group A (105.76% ± 11.82%), B (112.00% ± 15.02%), AB (109.80% ± 11.93%) than blood group O (82.00% ± 12.86%). No significant difference was observed among A, B and AB blood groups regarding coagulation factor VIII. Conclusions: It can be concluded that blood group A, B, AB individuals may have more chance of thrombosis due to significantly higher coagulation factor VIII than blood group O individuals.