Occurrence of some blood group antigens-like glycoconjugates in colorectal tumors

Expression of blood antigens A1, H, and T was studied in cells of benign and malignant tumors of colon and the rectum. The aim of the experiment was to verify the hypothesis on incomplete synthesis of glycoconjugates in the course of malignancy manifested also by an enhanced expression of H antigen compared to A antigen. A total of 152 patients with blood group A1 was examined by means of lectins DBA, UEA1, and PNA. The examination was complemented by the study of other glycosylative features and CEA expression. The results obtained do not support the mentioned hypothesis but suggest that reversal to malignancy can be associated with increased glycosylation or accumulation of abnormal glycoconjugates in the cells.