ABO Blood Group and the Risk and Prognosis of Lymphoma

Abstract

ABO blood group antigens exhibit alternative phenotypes and genetically derived structures that are located on the red cell surface. The role of ABO blood group in cancer biology has been intensely reported by several studies, and it is now widely recognized that ABO antigens are associated with the risk and prognosis of several types of tumors, namely gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer. However, there have been contentious limited issues with the association between the ABO blood group and lymphoma. In this narrative review, based on literature data, we discuss the role of ABO blood group in the risk and prognosis of lymphoma and summarize the current knowledge of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of the association. The possible association of ABO blood group with racial disparities and pathological classification in lymphoma patients is also discussed.

Keywords: ABO blood group; disease susceptibility; lymphoma; race; survival.

Figure 1

Pathogenic mechanism of ABO blood group on lymphoma. Potential mechanisms by which ABO blood groups may interact with the development and progression of cancers, including lymphoma: 1) Multiple regulators lead to the deletion of ABO blood group antigens, especially the A and B antigens, which enhances the motility and migration of tumor cells, resulting in poor prognosis; 2) Tumor markers that are ABO blood group antigens can evade the immune surveillance of host and allow tumors to grow; 3) Dysregulation of ABO glycosyltransferases, which are mainly involved in altering the modulator of angiogenesis during the tumorigenesis, is related to tumor; and 4) The influence of ABO blood group antigens on tumor growth, invasion and migration is mainly related to the ABO gene locus involved in regulating the mediators of inflammation and immune responses.