Abnormal Expression of Blood Group–related Antigens in Uterine Endometrial Cancers

Abstract

The expression of A, B, and H group antigens, Lewis group antigens (Lewisa, Lewisb, Lewisx, and Lewisy), and Lc4 and nLc4 antigens, the precursor antigens of both groups, was examined immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies in 9 normal endometria, 6 endometrial hyperplasias, and 31 endometrial cancers. 1) A, B and/or H antigens were detected in endometrial cancers at an incidence of 51.6%, while no distinct localization of these antigens was observed in normal endometria. H antigen, the precursor of A and B antigens, was particularly frequently detected in endometerial cancers. 2) An increased rate of expression of Lewis group antigens, particularly Lewisb antigen, was observed in endometrial cancers compared with its expression in normal endometria. 3) Lc4 and nLc4 antigens were detected in endometrial cancers at rates of 41.9% and 38.7%, respectively, these expressions being increased compared with those in normal endometria. 4) These results suggest that a highly abnormal expression of blood group–related antigens in endometrial cancers occurs not only at the level of A, B, and H antigens and Lewis group antigens, but also at the level of their precursor Lc4 and nLc4 antigens. 5) Lewisa, Lewisb, and Lc4 antigens, built on the type–1 chain, are more specific to endometrial cancers than their respective positional isomers, Lewisx, Lewisy, and nLc4 antigens, built on the type–2 chain.

Changes of β-1,4-Galactosyltransferase with the Development of Endometrial Cancer

“…In addition, we previously analyzed the expression of carbohydrate chains in endometrial cancer, and found that the expression of type 1 carbohydrate chains predominates over type 2 carbohydrate chains. In particular, Lewis b carbohydrate chains are most specifically found in endometrial cancer [14]. Regarding the mechanism of expression of Lewis b carbohydrate chains by endometrial cancer, it has been suggested that a marked increase of ·-1,4-fucosyltransferase (FT) is more important compared with changes of ·-1,2FT and ·-1,3FT among the FT [14,15].…”

“…Immunohistochemical staining was carried out by the avidin-biotin-complex method [14]. Tissue sections were incubated with an anti-ß-1,4GT monoclonal antibody (Konica, Tokyo) overnight at 4°C and subsequently treated with biotinylated horse antimouse IgG and avidin-biotin-complex reagent (Vector Laboratory, Burlingame, Calif.).…”

“…In particular, Lewis b carbohydrate chains are most specifically found in endometrial cancer [14]. Regarding the mechanism of expression of Lewis b carbohydrate chains by endometrial cancer, it has been suggested that a marked increase of ·-1,4-fucosyltransferase (FT) is more important compared with changes of ·-1,2FT and ·-1,3FT among the FT [14,15]. However, the expression of ß-1,4GT accompanying the development of endometrial cancer has not yet been evaluated.…”

A relationship between ABO blood groups and clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma in China

“…Higher proportions of blood group A among patients with some malignant tumors has been shown [12,24,25]. The biological significance of blood group antigens as markers of progression in human tumors has been suggested in many investigations [26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. Among these blood group antigens, an excess of blood group A has frequently been reported among patients with cancer of the stomach [12][13][14].…”

Clinicopathological Analysis of DU-PAN-2 as a Tumor Marker for Endometrial Adenocarcinoma in Comparison with CA19-9.

“…Carbohydrate antigen expressions have been proven to undergo qualitative and quantitative alterations during the normal menstrual cycle and a malignant transformation of the endometrium [1-3, Correspondence to: Masanori Yasuda, MD, Department of Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Bohseidai, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan. [15][16][17][18]22]. Taking advantage of these findings, some investigators have attempted to synthesize monoclonal antibodies specific for endometrial adenocarcinomas (EMACs) [8,12,13].…”