Isoantigens A, B and H in primary liver malignancies

Formalin-fixed tissues from 37 cases of primary liver malignancies were investigated by the technique of Specific Red Cell Adherence (SRCA) for studying the presence or absence of blood group isoantigens A, B and H. These tumours comprised 15 cases of hepatocellular carcinomas, 5 hepatoblastomas, and 17 cholangiocarcinomas. Results of the SRCA were consistently negative in all hepatocellular carcinomas and hepatoblastomas. Fifteen of 17 (88%) cholangiocarcinomas gave a positive SRCA, but no correlation could be obtained between the intensity of the reaction and their histological grading or metastatic potential. Reasons are given for the negative reactions in hepatocellular carcinomas and hepatoblastomas, an possible explanations are offered for the high rate of positivity in cholangiocarcinomas. It is concluded that the inherent properties of these 3 tumours limit the application of the SRCA procedure as a potential gauge of prognosis.