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Jastrząb P, Narejko K, Car H, Wielgat P. Cell Membrane Sialome: Sialic Acids as Therapeutic Targets and Regulators of Drug Resistance in Human Cancer Management. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5103. [PMID: 37894470 PMCID: PMC10604966 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A cellular sialome is a physiologically active and dynamically changing component of the cell membrane. Sialylation plays a crucial role in tumor progression, and alterations in cellular sialylation patterns have been described as modulators of chemotherapy effectiveness. However, the precise mechanisms through which altered sialylation contributes to drug resistance in cancer are not yet fully understood. This review focuses on the intricate interplay between sialylation and cancer treatment. It presents the role of sialic acids in modulating cell-cell interactions, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the immunosuppressive processes within the context of cancer. The issue of drug resistance is also discussed, and the mechanisms that involve transporters, the tumor microenvironment, and metabolism are analyzed. The review explores drugs and therapeutic approaches that may induce modifications in sialylation processes with a primary focus on their impact on sialyltransferases or sialidases. Despite advancements in cellular glycobiology and glycoengineering, an interdisciplinary effort is required to decipher and comprehend the biological characteristics and consequences of altered sialylation. Additionally, understanding the modulatory role of sialoglycans in drug sensitivity is crucial to applying this knowledge in clinical practice for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Jastrząb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland; (P.J.); (K.N.); (H.C.)
| | - Karolina Narejko
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland; (P.J.); (K.N.); (H.C.)
| | - Halina Car
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland; (P.J.); (K.N.); (H.C.)
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Medical University of Bialystok, Szpitalna 37, 15-295 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Przemyslaw Wielgat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland; (P.J.); (K.N.); (H.C.)
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Khilji SK, Op 't Hoog C, Warschkau D, Lühle J, Goerdeler F, Freitag A, Seeberger PH, Moscovitz O. Smaller size packs a stronger punch - Recent advances in small antibody fragments targeting tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens. Theranostics 2023; 13:3041-3063. [PMID: 37284439 PMCID: PMC10240822 DOI: 10.7150/thno.80901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Attached to proteins, lipids, or forming long, complex chains, glycans represent the most versatile post-translational modification in nature and surround all human cells. Unique glycan structures are monitored by the immune system and differentiate self from non-self and healthy from malignant cells. Aberrant glycosylations, termed tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs), are a hallmark of cancer and are correlated with all aspects of cancer biology. Therefore, TACAs represent attractive targets for monoclonal antibodies for cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, due to the thick and dense glycocalyx as well as the tumour micro-environment, conventional antibodies often suffer from restricted access and limited effectiveness in vivo. To overcome this issue, many small antibody fragments have come forth, showing similar affinity with better efficiency than their full-length counterparts. Here we review small antibody fragments against specific glycans on tumour cells and highlight their advantages over conventional antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Khan Khilji
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Charlotte Op 't Hoog
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - David Warschkau
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jost Lühle
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Goerdeler
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anika Freitag
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Peter H. Seeberger
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Oren Moscovitz
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Wang J, Shewell LK, Day CJ, Jennings MP. N-glycolylneuraminic acid as a carbohydrate cancer biomarker. Transl Oncol 2023; 31:101643. [PMID: 36805917 PMCID: PMC9971276 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the forms of aberrant glycosylation in human tumors is the expression of N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). The only known enzyme to biosynthesize Neu5Gc in mammals, cytidine-5'-monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMAH), appears to be genetically inactivated in humans. Regardless, low levels of Neu5Gc have been detected in healthy humans. Therefore, it is proposed that the presence of Neu5Gc in humans is from dietary acquisition, such as red meat. Notably, detection of elevated Neu5Gc levels has been repeatedly found in cancer tissues, cells and serum samples, thereby Neu5Gc-containing antigens may be exploited as a class of cancer biomarkers. Here we review the findings to date on using Neu5Gc-containing tumor glycoconjugates as a class of cancer biomarkers for cancer detection, surveillance, prognosis and therapeutic targets. We review the evidence that supports an emerging hypothesis of de novo Neu5Gc biosynthesis in human cancer cells as a source of Neu5Gc in human tumors, generated under certain metabolic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Lucy K Shewell
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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Giussani P, Prinetti A, Tringali C. The Role of Sphingolipids in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126492. [PMID: 34204326 PMCID: PMC8234743 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is now considered an innovative and strong strategy to beat metastatic, drug-resistant, or relapsing tumours. It is based on the manipulation of several mechanisms involved in the complex interplay between cancer cells and immune system that culminates in a form of immune-tolerance of tumour cells, favouring their expansion. Current immunotherapies are devoted enforcing the immune response against cancer cells and are represented by approaches employing vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, interleukins, checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Despite the undoubted potency of these treatments in some malignancies, many issues are being investigated to amplify the potential of application and to avoid side effects. In this review, we discuss how sphingolipids are involved in interactions between cancer cells and the immune system and how knowledge in this topic could be employed to enhance the efficacy of different immunotherapy approaches. In particular, we explore the following aspects: how sphingolipids are pivotal components of plasma membranes and could modulate the functionality of surface receptors expressed also by immune cells and thus their functionality; how sphingolipids are related to the release of bioactive mediators, sphingosine 1-phosphate, and ceramide that could significantly affect lymphocyte egress and migration toward the tumour milieu, in addition regulating key pathways needed to activate immune cells; given the renowned capability of altering sphingolipid expression and metabolism shown by cancer cells, how it is possible to employ sphingolipids as antigen targets.
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