Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Innovative Cancer Therapies with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment
09:02

Author Spotlight: Innovative Cancer Therapies with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment

Published on: September 27, 2024

2.9K

Glycoconjugates for glucose transporter-mediated cancer-specific targeting and treatment

Junjie Fu1, Jiaxin Yang1, Peter H Seeberger2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China.

Carbohydrate Research
|November 21, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Scientists are developing carbohydrate-drug conjugates to target cancer cells by exploiting their unique glucose metabolism, known as the Warburg effect. This review covers progress in glycoconjugate cancer therapy from 2010-2020.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • The Warburg effect, observed since the 1920s, describes altered glucose metabolism in cancer cells.
  • Cancer cells exhibit increased glucose uptake via overexpressed glucose transporters.
  • This metabolic vulnerability presents a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advancements in glycoconjugate development for cancer-specific targeting and treatment.
  • To summarize research progress in carbohydrate-drug conjugates from 2010 to 2020.
  • To identify future research directions in this therapeutic area.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications from 2010-2020.
  • Focus on carbohydrate-drug conjugates designed for cancer therapy.
  • Analysis of studies involving selective uptake by cancer cells overexpressing glucose transporters.

Main Results:

  • Significant progress has been made in designing glycoconjugates for targeted cancer therapy.
  • Carbohydrate-drug conjugates demonstrate potential for selective delivery to cancer cells.
  • The past decade has seen increased research and development in this field.

Conclusions:

  • Glycoconjugates represent a promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy by exploiting the Warburg effect.
  • Further research is needed to optimize the design and efficacy of these agents.
  • Future directions include refining targeting strategies and exploring novel drug payloads.
Keywords:
Anticancer drugsGlucose transporterGlycoconjugateTargeted delivery

More Related Videos

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer10:46

A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer

Published on: September 13, 2022

4.1K
Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles08:35

Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles

Published on: January 4, 2012

28.6K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.2K
Secondary Active Transport01:32

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
8.9K
Secondary Active Transport01:55

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
134.7K
Glucose Transporters01:27

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
26.8K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.6K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
922