1
|
Zhao J, Zhang K, Sui D, Wang S, Li Y, Tang X, Liu X, Song Y, Deng Y. Recent advances in sialic acid-based active targeting chemoimmunotherapy promoting tumor shedding: a systematic review. NANOSCALE 2024. [PMID: 39023195 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01740d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Tumors have always been a major public health concern worldwide, and attempts to look for effective treatments have never ceased. Sialic acid is known to be a crucial element for tumor development and its receptors are highly expressed on tumor-associated immune cells, which perform significant roles in establishing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and further boosting tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis. Obviously, it is essential to consider sophisticated crosstalk between tumors, the immune system, and preparations, and understand the links between pharmaceutics and immunology. Sialic acid-based chemoimmunotherapy enables active targeting drug delivery via mediating the recognition between the sialic acid-modified nano-drug delivery system represented by liposomes and sialic acid-binding receptors on tumor-associated immune cells, which inhibit their activity and utilize their homing ability to deliver drugs. Such a "Trojan horse" strategy has remarkably improved the shortcomings of traditional passive targeting treatments, unexpectedly promoted tumor shedding, and persistently induced robust immunological memory, thus highlighting its prospective application potential for targeting various tumors. Herein, we review recent advances in sialic acid-based active targeting chemoimmunotherapy to promote tumor shedding, summarize the current viewpoints on the tumor shedding mechanism, especially the formation of durable immunological memory, and analyze the challenges and opportunities of this attractive approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Kunfeng Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Dezhi Sui
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Shuo Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Yantong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Xueying Tang
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Xinrong Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Yanzhi Song
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Yihui Deng
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road, No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sun S, Yang Z, Majdaeen M, Agbele AT, Abedi-Firouzjah R. Functions of Sialyltransferases in gynecological malignancies: A systematic review. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155159. [PMID: 38306862 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The biosynthesis of tumor-associated sialoglycans involves Sialyltransferases expressed in cancer cells differentially. The current review aspires to bridge the existing knowledge gaps by consolidating evidence regarding the role of Sialyltransferases in gynecological malignant tumors (ovarian, cervix, endometrial, and breast). METHODS In this systematic review, we searched databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library. Twenty-two high-quality articles were selected out of 559 researched studies using radiomics quality score (RQS) tools. RESULTS Our findings indicated that 7 articles were related to Sialyltransferases in ovarian cancer, in which 6 studies was examined only ST6Gal-I and one study examined the ST3Gal-I, ST3Gal-II, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, ST3Gal-VI, and ST3Gal-6. In addition, 5 articles were related to Sialyltransferases in cervix cancer (ST6Gal-I), 3 articles to endometrial cancer (ST6Gal-I, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, and ST3Gal-6), and 7 articles to breast cancer (ST6Gal-I gene in 5 studies, ST6GAL-II gene in one study, and ST8SIA1 and ST3GAL-V genes in one study). CONCLUSION ST6Gal-I gene expression occurs at a high speed in ovarian, cervix, endometrial, and breast cancers, leading to metastasis to distant cells, cell destruction, cell invasion, and reduced patient survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Sun
- Department of Gynecology, The Central Hospital of Yongzhou, Yongzhou 425000, China
| | - Zhenying Yang
- Department of Gynecology, The Central Hospital of Yongzhou, Yongzhou 425000, China
| | - Mehrsa Majdaeen
- Department of Radio-Oncology, Razi Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Science, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Alaba Tolulope Agbele
- Department of Physics, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere, Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Razzagh Abedi-Firouzjah
- Department of Medical Physics Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gunjača I, Benzon B, Pleić N, Babić Leko M, Pešutić Pisac V, Barić A, Kaličanin D, Punda A, Polašek O, Vukojević K, Zemunik T. Role of ST6GAL1 in Thyroid Cancers: Insights from Tissue Analysis and Genomic Datasets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16334. [PMID: 38003522 PMCID: PMC10671354 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the predominant endocrine-related malignancy. ST6 β-galactoside α2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (ST6GAL1) has been studied in various types of cancers; however, the expression and function of ST6GAL1 in thyroid cancer has not been investigated so far. Previously, we conducted two genome-wide association studies and have identified the association of the ST6GAL1 gene with plasma thyroglobulin (Tg) levels. Since Tg levels are altered in thyroid pathologies, in the current study, we wanted to evaluate the expression of ST6GAL1 in thyroid cancer tissues. We performed an immunohistochemical analysis using human thyroid tissue from 89 patients and analyzed ST6GAL1 protein expression in papillary thyroid cancer (including follicular variant and microcarcinoma) and follicular thyroid cancer in comparison to normal thyroid tissue. Additionally, ST6GAL1 mRNA levels from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, n = 572) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project (n = 279) were examined. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed higher ST6GAL1 protein expression in all thyroid tumors compared to normal thyroid tissue. TCGA data revealed increased ST6GAL1 mRNA levels in both primary and metastatic tumors versus controls. Notably, the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer exhibited significantly higher ST6GAL1 mRNA levels than classic papillary thyroid cancer. High ST6GAL1 mRNA levels significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis status, clinical stage, and reduced survival rate. ST6GAL1 emerges as a potential cancer-associated glycosyltransferase in thyroid malignancies, offering valuable insights into its diagnostic and prognostic significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Gunjača
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (N.P.); (M.B.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Benjamin Benzon
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (B.B.); (K.V.)
| | - Nikolina Pleić
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (N.P.); (M.B.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Mirjana Babić Leko
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (N.P.); (M.B.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Valdi Pešutić Pisac
- Clinical Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Cytology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Ana Barić
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (A.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Dean Kaličanin
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (N.P.); (M.B.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Ante Punda
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (A.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Ozren Polašek
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Katarina Vukojević
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (B.B.); (K.V.)
| | - Tatijana Zemunik
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (N.P.); (M.B.L.); (D.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hugonnet M, Singh P, Haas Q, von Gunten S. The Distinct Roles of Sialyltransferases in Cancer Biology and Onco-Immunology. Front Immunol 2021; 12:799861. [PMID: 34975914 PMCID: PMC8718907 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.799861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant glycosylation is a key feature of malignant transformation. Hypersialylation, the enhanced expression of sialic acid-terminated glycoconjugates on the cell surface, has been linked to immune evasion and metastatic spread, eventually by interaction with sialoglycan-binding lectins, including Siglecs and selectins. The biosynthesis of tumor-associated sialoglycans involves sialyltransferases, which are differentially expressed in cancer cells. In this review article, we provide an overview of the twenty human sialyltransferases and their roles in cancer biology and immunity. A better understanding of the individual contribution of select sialyltransferases to the tumor sialome may lead to more personalized strategies for the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjolaine Hugonnet
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pushpita Singh
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Haas
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephan von Gunten
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang Y, Wang R, Feng Y, Ma F. The role of sialyltransferases in gynecological malignant tumors. Life Sci 2020; 263:118670. [PMID: 33121992 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sialylation is the addition of sialic acids to the terminus of various glycoconjugates, and it is involved in many essential biological processes, such as cell adhesion, signal transduction, immune regulation, etc. The levels of sialylation in a cell are tightly regulated by two groups of enzymes, sialyltransferases (STs, responsible for sialylation) and sialidases (responsible for desialylation). Many studies have reported that the occurrence, development, and survival rates of tumors are significantly associated with STs' abnormal changes. In recent years, the morbidity and mortality rates of gynecological malignant tumors have been continuously rising, which has caused great harm to women's reproduction and health. Abnormal changes of STs in gynecological malignant tumor cell membranes cause the changes of expression of sialic acids, promoting cell migration and, eventually, leading to tumor metastasis. In this review, we outlined the biological characteristics of STs and summarized the expression profiles of 20 STs in different tumors via transcriptome data from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. Moreover, STs' functions in four common gynecological tumors (ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and gestational trophoblast tumor) were reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ruohan Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ying Feng
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Fang Ma
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rodrigues Mantuano N, Natoli M, Zippelius A, Läubli H. Tumor-associated carbohydrates and immunomodulatory lectins as targets for cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001222. [PMID: 33020245 PMCID: PMC7537339 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During oncogenesis, tumor cells present specific carbohydrate chains that are new targets for cancer immunotherapy. Whereas these tumor-associated carbohydrates (TACA) can be targeted with antibodies and vaccination approaches, TACA including sialic acid-containing glycans are able to inhibit anticancer immune responses by engagement of immune receptors on leukocytes. A family of immune-modulating receptors are sialic acid-binding Siglec receptors that have been recently described to inhibit antitumor activity mediated by myeloid cells, natural killer cells and T cells. Other TACA-binding receptors including selectins have been linked to cancer progression. Recent studies have shown that glycan-lectin interactions can be targeted to improve cancer immunotherapy. For example, interactions between the immune checkpoint T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 and the lectin galectin-9 are targeted in clinical trials. In addition, an antibody against the lectin Siglec-15 is being tested in an early clinical trial. In this review, we summarize the previous and current efforts to target TACA and to inhibit inhibitory immune receptors binding to TACA including the Siglec-sialoglycan axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Natoli
- Department of Biomedicine, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alfred Zippelius
- Department of Biomedicine, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Heinz Läubli
- Department of Biomedicine, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Campesato LF, Weng CH, Merghoub T. Innate immune checkpoints for cancer immunotherapy: expanding the scope of non T cell targets. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1031. [PMID: 32953831 PMCID: PMC7475486 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Campesato
- Swim Across America and Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory, Immunology Program, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Immuno-Oncology Service, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chien-Huan Weng
- Swim Across America and Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory, Immunology Program, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Immuno-Oncology Service, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Taha Merghoub
- Swim Across America and Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory, Immunology Program, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Immuno-Oncology Service, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
von Gunten S. Secondary-Type Carbohydrate Modification as a Driver of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Features of Cancer Stem Cells. Pharmacology 2020; 105:244-245. [PMID: 32344412 DOI: 10.1159/000507003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
9
|
Abstract
Sialylation (the covalent addition of sialic acid to the terminal end of glycoproteins or glycans), tightly regulated cell- and microenvironment-specific process and orchestrated by sialyltransferases and sialidases (neuraminidases) family, is one of the posttranslational modifications, which plays an important biological role in the maintenance of normal physiology and involves many pathological dysfunctions. Glycans have roles in all the cancer hallmarks, referring to capabilities acquired during all steps of cancer development to initiate malignant transformation (a driver of a malignant genotype), enable cancer cells to survive, proliferate, and metastasize (a consequence of a malignant phenotype), which includes sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressor, resisting cell apoptosis, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, reprogramming of energy metabolism, evading tumor destruction, accumulating inflammatory microenvironment, and activating invasion and accelerating metastases. Regarding the important role of altered sialylation of cancers, further knowledge about the initiation and the consequences of altered sialylation pattern in tumor cells is needed, because all may offer a better chance for developing novel therapeutic strategy. In this review, we would like to update alteration of sialylation in ovarian cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ling Lee
- Department of Medicine, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Nursing, Oriental Institute of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Peng-Hui Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Läubli H, Borsig L. Altered Cell Adhesion and Glycosylation Promote Cancer Immune Suppression and Metastasis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2120. [PMID: 31552050 PMCID: PMC6743365 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions and cell adhesion are key mediators of cancer progression and facilitate hallmarks of cancer including immune evasion and metastatic dissemination. Many cell adhesion molecules within the tumor microenvironment are changed and significant alterations of glycosylation are observed. These changes in cell adhesion molecules alter the ability of tumor cells to interact with other cells and extracellular matrix proteins. Three families of cell-cell interaction molecules selectins, Siglecs, and integrins have been associated with cancer progression in many pre-clinical studies, yet inhibition of cell adhesion as a therapeutic target is just beginning to be explored. We review how cell-cell interactions mediated by integrins and the glycan-binding receptors selectins and Siglec receptors support cancer progression. The discussion focuses on mechanisms during immune evasion and metastasis that can be therapeutically targeted by blocking these cell-cell interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Läubli
- Laboratory for Cancer Immunotherapy, Department of Biomedicine and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lubor Borsig
- Department of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Haas Q, Boligan KF, Jandus C, Schneider C, Simillion C, Stanczak MA, Haubitz M, Seyed Jafari SM, Zippelius A, Baerlocher GM, Läubli H, Hunger RE, Romero P, Simon HU, von Gunten S. Siglec-9 Regulates an Effector Memory CD8+ T-cell Subset That Congregates in the Melanoma Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:707-718. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
12
|
Rodrigues E, Macauley MS. Hypersialylation in Cancer: Modulation of Inflammation and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10060207. [PMID: 29912148 PMCID: PMC6025361 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10060207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell surface glycosylation is dynamic and often changes in response to cellular differentiation under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. Altered glycosylation on cancers cells is gaining attention due its wide-spread occurrence across a variety of cancer types and recent studies that have documented functional roles for aberrant glycosylation in driving cancer progression at various stages. One change in glycosylation that can correlate with cancer stage and disease prognosis is hypersialylation. Increased levels of sialic acid are pervasive in cancer and a growing body of evidence demonstrates how hypersialylation is advantageous to cancer cells, particularly from the perspective of modulating immune cell responses. Sialic acid-binding receptors, such as Siglecs and Selectins, are well-positioned to be exploited by cancer hypersialylation. Evidence is also mounting that Siglecs modulate key immune cell types in the tumor microenvironment, particularly those responsible for maintaining the appropriate inflammatory environment. From these studies have come new and innovative ways to block the effects of hypersialylation by directly reducing sialic acid on cancer cells or blocking interactions between sialic acid and Siglecs or Selectins. Here we review recent works examining how cancer cells become hypersialylated, how hypersialylation benefits cancer cells and tumors, and proposed therapies to abrogate hypersialylation of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
| | - Matthew S Macauley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|