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Updated: May 1, 2026

Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics
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Glycans in immune recognition and response.

Ron Amon1, Eliran Moshe Reuven1, Shani Leviatan Ben-Arye1

  • 1Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.

Carbohydrate Research
|April 1, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Foreign sugars like N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) and alpha-galactosyl (αGal) are immunogenic in humans. Their presence on cancer cells and immune responses offer potential for novel cancer therapies and diagnostics.

Keywords:
AntibodiesBiomarkerCancerImmunotherapyNeu5GcSialic acid

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Glycobiology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cell surface glycans are crucial for immune recognition, with cancer cells often exhibiting altered glycosylation patterns.
  • Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are typically poorly immunogenic, limiting their use in cancer vaccines and antibody therapies.
  • Some foreign carbohydrates, like N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) and alpha-galactosyl (αGal), are immunogenic in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the immunogenicity of Neu5Gc and its role in human diseases, particularly cancer.
  • To compare and contrast Neu5Gc with another foreign immunogenic carbohydrate, αGal.
  • To explore the potential of these immunogenic carbohydrates in novel targeted cancer theranostics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Neu5Gc and αGal immunogenicity.
  • Analysis of the role of Neu5Gc accumulation in carcinoma and subsequent immune responses.
  • Evaluation of anti-Neu5Gc and anti-αGal antibody responses in humans.

Main Results:

  • Neu5Gc, a dietary sugar, is expressed on carcinoma cells, eliciting a human immune response generating anti-Neu5Gc antibodies.
  • The presence of Neu5Gc and anti-Neu5Gc antibodies can contribute to chronic inflammation and disease, including cancer.
  • Humans naturally possess circulating anti-αGal antibodies, another foreign immunogenic carbohydrate antigen.

Conclusions:

  • Neu5Gc and αGal represent promising targets for novel glycotherapies and theranostics due to their immunogenicity.
  • Understanding the interplay between foreign glycans and the human immune system is key to developing effective cancer treatments.
  • Targeted therapies utilizing anti-Neu5Gc or anti-αGal antibodies hold potential for cancer treatment and diagnosis.