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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
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Cadherins Glycans in Cancer: Sweet Players in a Bitter Process

Sandra Carvalho1, Celso A Reis2, Salomé S Pinho3

  • 1i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.

Trends in Cancer
|July 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cadherin glycoforms are crucial in cancer, impacting cell adhesion and tumor progression. Understanding these changes offers new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cadherins are vital for cell adhesion and tissue structure.
  • Cadherin dysfunction and altered cell adhesion are hallmarks of cancer.
  • Cancer cells undergo significant changes in their glycan (sugar) profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on how glycan structure affects cadherin function in cancer.
  • To explore the potential of cadherin glycans as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on cadherins, glycans, and cancer.
  • Analysis of the impact of glycosylation on cadherin stability, trafficking, and adhesion.
  • Discussion of clinical applications and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Glycan alterations in cancer cells influence cadherin stability, trafficking, and adhesive properties.
  • Specific cadherin glycoforms show promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
  • Targeting cadherin glycosylation presents a potential therapeutic avenue for cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Cadherin glycosylation plays a critical role in cancer development and progression.
  • Altered cadherin glycoforms represent valuable biomarkers for patient management.
  • Modulating cadherin glycosylation offers a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
N-glycosylationO-glycosylationcancer progressionclassical cadheringlycosylationinvasionmetastasis

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