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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

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Fighting Cancer Using an Oncofetal Glycosaminoglycan-Binding Protein from Malaria Parasites

Mette Ø Agerbæk1, Sara Bang-Christensen1, Ali Salanti1

  • 1Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Trends in Parasitology
|December 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Malaria research identified oncofetal chondroitin sulfate, a molecule shared by placental cells and cancer cells. The malaria protein VAR2CSA can target this molecule, offering potential for new cancer diagnostics and therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Malaria research has uncovered unique molecular interactions.
  • Oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS) is expressed in placental trophoblasts.
  • Cancer cells can also express ofCS, suggesting a potential shared marker.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of oncofetal chondroitin sulfate as a common marker for cancer.
  • To explore the utility of the malaria-derived protein VAR2CSA in targeting ofCS.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing insights from malaria research.
  • Employing the malaria protein VAR2CSA as a targeting agent.
  • Investigating the interaction between VAR2CSA and ofCS.

Main Results:

  • Oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS) was identified through malaria research.
  • The malaria protein VAR2CSA effectively detects ofCS.
  • ofCS is present on both placental trophoblasts and cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • The malaria protein VAR2CSA can target oncofetal chondroitin sulfate.
  • This interaction shows promise for developing novel cancer diagnostics.
  • The findings suggest potential for new cancer therapeutics based on VAR2CSA-ofCS targeting.
Keywords:
VAR2CSAcanceroncofetal chondroitin sulfateplacental malaria

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