[Key problems of antitumor immunity and glycoconjugates]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) undergo rapid changes in their carbohydrate structures, outpacing T-cell responses.
• Tumor cells actively suppress immune responses through secreted inhibitory factors, including glycoconjugates.
• Endogenous lectins on immune cells represent an ancient recognition system crucial for natural anti-tumor resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the challenges of rapid TAA alteration and tumor-induced immunosuppression in antitumour immunity.
• To explore the potential of stimulating endogenous lectin-glycoconjugate interactions for cancer immunotherapy.
• To investigate methods for rehabilitating immune cells compromised by tumor immunosuppression.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the rapid changes in carbohydrate structures of tumor-associated antigens (glycoconjugates).
• Review of data on tumor cell-produced immunosuppressive factors, including glycoconjugates.
• Exploration of stimulating endogenous lectin-glycoconjugate systems using bacterial and syngeneic glycoconjugates.
• Investigation of immune cell rehabilitation using activating glycoconjugates and cytokines.

Main Results:

• Tumor-associated antigen carbohydrate structures change significantly faster (hours to days) than antitumour T-killer cell proliferation.
• Tumor cells secrete inhibitory factors, notably glycoconjugates, that suppress lymphocyte and macrophage proliferation and function.
• Endogenous lectins on lymphocytes and macrophages are key components of natural tumor resistance.

Conclusions:

• Stimulating the endogenous lectin-glycoconjugate recognition system with bacterial and syngeneic glycoconjugates is a promising direction for tumor immunotherapy.
• Developing methods to restore immune cell function using activating glycoconjugates and cytokines is a critical strategy for cancer treatment.