The role of the histoblood ABO group in cancer

Seth K Rummel; Rachel E Ellsworth

doi:10.4155/fsoa-2015-0012

The role of the histoblood ABO group in cancer

Future Sci OA. 2016 Mar 15;2(2):FSO107. doi: 10.4155/fsoa-2015-0012. eCollection 2016 Jun.

Authors

Seth K Rummel¹, Rachel E Ellsworth²

Affiliations

¹ Clinical Breast Care Project, Windber Research Institute, 620 Seventh Street, Windber, PA 15963, USA; Clinical Breast Care Project, Windber Research Institute, 620 Seventh Street, Windber, PA 15963, USA.
² Clinical Breast Care Project, Murtha Cancer Center, 620 Seventh Street, Windber, PA 15963, USA; Clinical Breast Care Project, Murtha Cancer Center, 620 Seventh Street, Windber, PA 15963, USA.

Abstract

Since the first link between blood type and cancer was described in 1953, numerous studies have sought to determine whether the histoblood ABO group is associated with tumorigenesis. In 2009, the first significant association between a SNP located within the ABO glycosyltransferase gene and increased risk of pancreatic cancer was reported. Here, we describe the history and possible functions of the histoblood ABO group and then provide evidence for a role of blood group antigens in the most common cancer types worldwide using both blood type and SNP data. We also explore whether confusion regarding the role of blood type in cancer risk may be attributable to heterogeneity within tumor types.

Keywords: cancer; histoblood ABO group; rs505922.

Publication types

Review