Blood group antigen A type 3 expression is a favorable prognostic factor in advanced NSCLC

Expression of A type 3 was not observed in non-malignant lung tissues. A type 3 was expressed on tumor cells of around half of NSCLC patients of blood group A1 (p < 0.001). Whereas no prognostic effect for A type 1/2 antigen was observed (p = 0.562), the expression of A type 3 by tumor cells indicated a highly significant favorable prognosis among advanced NSCLC patients (p = 0.011) and in NSCLC patients with lymphatic spread (p = 0.014). Univariate prognostic results were confirmed in a Cox proportional hazards model. In this study we present for the first time prognostic data for A type 3 antigen expression in lung cancer patients. Prospective studies should be performed to confirm the prognostic value of A type 3 expression for an improved risk stratification in NSCLC patients.