Loss of expression of blood group antigen H is associated with cellular invasion and spread of oral squamous cell carcinomas

Article Abstract:

At the molecular level, the surface of the cell is a forest of glycoproteins (compound of proteins containing a carbohydrate group) extending into the milieu outside the cell. While many of these proteins are thought to be important in modulating the behavior of a cell and its relationship to the local environment, few details are understood. One of the most widely studied sets of molecules on the cell surface are the blood group antigens of the ABO(H) system (cell surface carbohydrates). While the A and B antigens, which are specific sugars attached to protein backbones, were originally discovered on red blood cells because of their clinical importance in blood transfusion, these antigens are also found on many other cells of the body. It is interesting to note that some cells, such as those of the oral mucosa (inside the mouth), may express these antigens in their normal state, but fail to express them after undergoing malignant transformation. In a study of oral squamous cell cancers, it was found that the expression of the H antigen inversely correlates with the aggressive behavior of the cancer. The H antigen, which is the immediate chemical precursor of the A antigen in the synthetic chain of events, is more likely to be expressed on less aggressive cancers and less likely to be expressed on invasive and advanced stage cancer. A monoclonal antibody recognizing the H antigen was used to immunohistochemically stain 42 specimens of squamous cell carcinoma from the buccal and maxillary alveolar mucosa (inside the cheek and mouth). A lack of staining with this antibody, indicating an absence of the H antigen, was found to significantly correlate with the stage of the cancer, the size of the primary tumor, and the grade of malignancy as determined by pathological (cellular) examination. Furthermore, the presence of the H antigen was found to correlate with the survival time of the patient. The expression of such an antigen is often associated with the differentiated state of a cell or cells. Therefore, it is not surprising that higher grade cancers, which are less differentiated by definition, express less H antigen. However, the authors point out that changes in cell surface glycoproteins are known to be associated with cell migration, even in normal tissues. They suggest that changes in the H antigen may be a prerequisite to the migration of cancerous cells, which occurs during tissue invasion and metastatic spread. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Physiological aspects, Development and progression, Cancer cells, Tumor antigens

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Prognostic value of rhesus blood groups in oral squamous cell carcinomas

Article Abstract:

Different blood groups are determined by the presence of different molecular structures on the surface of red blood cells. However, these antigens are not limited to the red blood cells, and occur on the cells of many body tissues. The predominant system of blood groups is the ABO system, and research has demonstrated that not only do the antigens of this system determine much of the response to blood transfusion, but that these antigens also appear to influence the prognosis of some types of cancer as well. The rhesus antigen, discovered first in monkeys, is also an important antigen on red blood cells, but this Rh factor, as it is most commonly called, appears to play a more equivocal role in determining the prognosis of some cancers. Nevertheless, researchers found that the presence or absence of the Rh antigen in patients with a particular type of mouth cancer appears to be related to the prospects for survival. To extend these findings, the researchers studied 76 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth. Rh factor data were available for only 72; 59 of these patients were Rh-positive, while the remaining 13 were Rh-negative. The Rh-negative patients had significantly shorter average survival time than the patients who were Rh-positive. Only 8 percent of the Rh-negative patients survived five years, in contrast with 30 percent of the Rh-positive patients. Early stage cancer was less likely among the Rh-negative patients, and a greater fraction had disease which had already spread throughout the local region. It is not known how the presence or absence of the Rh antigen might influence the progression of cancer. However, the authors provide one possible explanation: the gene for the Rh factor is located on chromosome 1, and this same chromosome has been found to be rearranged in some cases of squamous cell carcinoma. The Rh factor gene may be related to changes in chromosome 1 which play a role in the progression of squamous cell carcinoma. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Genetic aspects, Cancer, Cancer genetics, Rh factor

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A multivariate study of the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinomas: are blood group and hemoglobin new prognostic factors?

Article Abstract:

The blood groups are most commonly thought of in terms of compatibility for blood transfusion. However, people with some blood groups appear more likely to develop certain cancers than people with other blood groups. Furthermore, some research has suggested that low levels of hemoglobin in the blood increase the likelihood of some cancers, including cancer of the mouth cavity. A study was conducted to determine if these factors might also help to predict the case outcome among patients who have already developed cancers of the mouth cavity. A study was conducted of 111 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity; blood group and hemoglobin data were available for 99 of these cases. The results indicated that patients with the Rh blood group antigen had significantly better survival than those who did not. The 10-year survival for Rh-positive patients was almost 50 percent, while fewer than 20 percent of the Rh-negative patients survived for the same period. Similarly, the hemoglobin level in the blood was strongly associated with survival. Sixty percent of the patients with hemoglobin over 140 grams per liter were alive after seven years. In contrast, just over 10 percent of the patients with less than 110 milligrams per liter survived the same period. The patients with intermediate values of hemoglobin had intermediate survival, as well. Statistical analysis revealed that these factors provide prognostic data which is independent of the traditional prognostic factors of tumor size and stage of development. These findings may also provide insight into the physiological mechanisms affecting cancer survival. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Hemoglobin, Hemoglobins, Blood groups, ABO blood-group system

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