G. Kolb et al., THE CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF THE TUMOR-MARKE R CA19-9 WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE LEWIS-PHENOTYPE, Medizinische Klinik, 92(4), 1997, pp. 228-232
Background: Because of structure and biosynthesis of CA 19-9, it was p
ostulated that patients with the Lewis phenotype Le(a-b-) are not able
to synthesize CA 19-9. But some patients with Le(a-b-) on red blood c
ells showed elevated levels of this tumor marker. Patients and method:
In 164 patients suffering from benign or malignant diseases both CA 1
9-9 and the Lewis phenotype were determined in sera. In addition in 51
patients red blood cells were tested for Lewis substances. Results: T
he frequencies of the different Lewis phenotypes on red blood cells we
re compared with the results found in sera. The prevalence of the phen
otype Le(a-b-) on erythrocytes was significantly higher than in sera.
In 51 patients both determinations were performed. These results were
compared additionally. The phenotype Le(a-b-) found on red blood cells
agreed with the results found in sera only in 30% of the cases. A los
s of Lewis substances on erythrocytes could be seen both in malignant
and benign diseases. Only in patients with Lewis substances found in s
era elevated levels of CA 19-9 could be seen. Conclusion: Considering
only the Lewis phenotype in sera, it could be confirmed that patients
with the genotype Le(a-b-) are not able to express elevated concentrat
ions of CA 19-9.