Prognostic Value of ABO Blood Groups in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

To investigate relationship among ABO blood groups and prognosis in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Retrospective observational study.

Department of Medical Oncology, HSU Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, from April 2012 to May 2020.

Two hundred and thirty-eight patients with the diagnosis of GBM were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding age, gender, surgery (total or subtotal), type (chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT)) and duration of adjuvant therapies, comorbid conditions, ABO blood groups were analysed for survival. Median overall survival (OS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors.

Median age was 57 years (range: 20-83); and 57.6% were male in the study population. The blood group was blood group A in 45.0%, blood group B in 14.7%, blood group AB in 5.4%, and blood group O in 34.9% of patients.  Median OS was 22 months in blood group O whereas 14 months in blood group A, 11 months in blood group B and 6 months in blood group AB (p=0.027).The median OS was shorter in non-O blood groups when compared to blood group O (13.0 vs. 22.0; p=0.008). In addition advanced age, subtotal resection and lack of adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy), non-O blood group were identified as independent poor prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (HR: 1.39; p=0.033).

An association was detected among ABO blood groups and prognosis in patients with GBM. It was observed that blood groups significantly affected survival and that median survival was significantly shorter in Non-O blood groups when compared blood group O. Key Words: Glioblastoma multiforme, ABO blood group, Prognosis, Survival.