(Springer Science + Business Media, 2012) Poole, Elizabeth M.; Gates, Margaret A.; High, Brigit A.; Chanock, Stephen J.; Cramer, Daniel; Cunningham, Julie M.; Fridley, Brooke L.; Gayther, Simon A.; Goode, Ellen L.; Iversen, Edwin S.; Lissowska, Jolanta; Weber, Rachel T. Palmieri; Pharoah, Paul D. P.; Phelan, Catherine M.; Ramus, Susan J.; Schildkraut, Joellen M.; Sutphen, Rebecca; Tsai, Ya-Yu; Tyrer, Jonathan; Vierkant, Robert A.; Wentzensen, Nicolas; Yang, Hannah P.; Terry, Kathryn; Tworoger, Shelley
Purpose
Previous studies have examined the association between ABO blood group and ovarian cancer risk, with inconclusive results.
Methods
In 8 studies participating in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC), we determined ABO blood groups and diplotypes by genotyping 3 SNPs in the ABO locus. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in each study using logistic regression; individual study results were combined using random effects meta-analysis.
Results
Compared to blood group O, the A blood group was associated with a modestly increased ovarian cancer risk: (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01–1.18; p=0.03). In diplotype analysis, the AO, but not the AA diplotype was associated with increased risk (AO: OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.22; p=0.03; AA: OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.87–1.21; p=0.76). Neither AB nor the B blood groups were associated with risk. Results were similar across ovarian cancer histologic subtypes.
Conclusion
Consistent with most previous reports, the A blood type was associated modestly with increased ovarian cancer risk in this large analysis of multiple studies of ovarian cancer. Future studies investigating potential biologic mechanisms are warranted.
