Immunogenetic aspects of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. II. Analysis of ABO, rhesus and MNSs red cell systems

Abstract

The distribution of red cell antigens of the ABO, Rhesus, MNSs, and P systems was studied in 102 Chinese patients from Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. The distribution of the same antigens was also studied in 166 Singapore blood donors and in 43 patients suspected of having nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) but in whom malignancy was not detected on histological examination of biopsies of nasopharyngeal tissue, and who are presumed to be free of NPC. No statistically significant differences were found in either phenotype or genotype frequencies between the 3 groups. The results of surveys investigating the possible association between blood groups and NPC are reviewed. If the hypothesis of a genetic predisposition to NPC is correct, it appears unlikely that the blood group genes which were studied here are involved, at least as independently functioning genes. However, in Chinese patients, a systematic study of dialect sub groups is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.