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Updated: May 26, 2026
11:36
Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics
Published on: May 22, 2016
Glycans as cancer biomarkers
Barbara Adamczyk1, Tharmala Tharmalingam, Pauline M Rudd
1Dublin-Oxford Glycobiology Laboratory, NIBRT-The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Fosters Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|December 20, 2011
Summary
Serum glycoprotein changes, including fucosylation and sialylation, show promise as novel cancer biomarkers. Advanced glycan analysis and high-throughput platforms enable efficient biomarker discovery for improved cancer prognosis and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Glycoscience
- Biomarker Discovery
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Non-invasive serum biomarkers are crucial for disease management.
- Glycosylation changes are increasingly recognized as significant in disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review potential serum glycoprotein biomarkers for various cancers.
- To discuss advancements in glycan analysis methods and future trends.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum glycoproteins for aberrant glycan structures.
- Application of high-throughput platform technologies for large-scale sample analysis.
- Review of glycosylation analysis evolution and future directions.
Main Results:
- Aberrant glycans are consistently found in association with cancer.
- Fucosylation and sialylation are significantly modified in most cancers.
- Glycosylation differences distinguish cancer patients from controls.
Conclusions:
- Glycobiology offers a promising avenue for cancer biomarker identification.
- High-throughput glycomics, integrated with other -omics, facilitates systems glycobiology.
- Modified glycan structures can enhance existing cancer biomarkers.
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