ABO blood groups in hematologic malignancies.

This article examines the genetic predisposition of individuals to lymphoma and leukemia with regard to the ABO blood groups. Blood samples from 558 patients suffering from various forms of lymphoma and leukemia were collected and typed for ABO blood groups. The ABO blood group phenotype frequencies of lymphoma patients were similar to those in control samples. Among leukemia patients, a significant increase in the frequency of the A2 phenotype was found in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Possible mechanisms underlying the predisposition of individuals with the A2 blood group to chronic lymphocytic leukemia suggested by these preliminary results are discussed.