ABO Blood Group Influence on Cancer Outcomes
Summary
The ABO blood group system, defined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on erythrocytes and other tissues, has emerged as a modifier of cancer susceptibility and prognosis. Variants in the ABO gene influence glycosylation patterns that govern cell–cell adhesion, inflammatory responses and immune recognition. Epidemiological evidence links blood group A with elevated incidence of gastric, pancreatic and ovarian cancers, whereas group O often confers relative protection. Beyond risk stratification, blood group has been shown to correlate with disease progression: individuals with certain blood types may experience differing rates of recurrence and survival after surgical resection. Genetic polymorphisms within the ABO locus also associate with circulating adhesion molecules and inflammatory mediators, offering mechanistic insight into tumour biology. Understanding these relationships holds promise for refining prognostic models, guiding tailored surveillance and illuminating pathways for therapeutic intervention.
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ABO Blood Group Influence on Cancer Outcomes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in abo blood group influence on cancer outcomes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
ABO blood group: Classification of blood based on expression of A and B carbohydrate antigens on red blood cells and other tissues.
Secretor status: Genetic trait determining whether an individual secretes ABO antigens into bodily fluids such as saliva and mucus.
Recurrence-free survival (RFS): Interval after primary treatment during which a patient remains free from cancer recurrence.
Overall survival (OS): Duration from diagnosis or treatment initiation until death from any cause.
Propensity score matching: Statistical technique that balances treatment and control groups for confounding variables in observational studies.
References
- The Prognostic Impact of ABO Blood Group in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Hepatectomy. Cancers (2023).
- The secretor status of blood group antigens in the saliva in people with oral cancers: a systematic review. Systematic Reviews (2024).
- The role of the histoblood ABO group in cancer. Future Science OA (2016).
- Novel Association of ABO Histo-Blood Group Antigen with Soluble ICAM-1: Results of a Genome-Wide Association Study of 6,578 Women. PLOS Genetics (2008).
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