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Cell Membrane Sialome: Sialic Acids as Therapeutic Targets and Regulators of Drug Resistance in Human Cancer

Patrycja Jastrząb1, Karolina Narejko1, Halina Car1,2

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland.

Cancers
|October 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Altered cellular sialylation impacts cancer progression and chemotherapy effectiveness. Understanding these sialoglycan mechanisms is key to overcoming drug resistance and improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cancer Biology
  • Glycobiology

Background:

  • The cellular sialome, a dynamic cell membrane component, is crucial in cancer progression.
  • Altered sialylation patterns significantly influence chemotherapy effectiveness, but mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex relationship between sialylation and cancer treatment.
  • To elucidate how altered sialylation contributes to drug resistance in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on sialic acids' roles in cell interactions, ECM, and immunosuppression.
  • Analysis of drug resistance mechanisms involving transporters, tumor microenvironment, and metabolism.
  • Exploration of therapeutic strategies targeting sialylation pathways (sialyltransferases, sialidases).

Main Results:

  • Sialic acids modulate critical cancer processes including cell-cell adhesion and immune evasion.
  • Altered sialylation influences drug resistance through various mechanisms, including altered drug transport and metabolic reprogramming.
  • Therapeutic interventions targeting sialylation pathways show potential for modulating cancer treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • Deciphering the biological consequences of altered sialylation requires an interdisciplinary approach.
  • Understanding sialoglycan modulation of drug sensitivity is vital for clinical application in cancer therapy.
Keywords:
cancerchemoresistancesialic acidsialometherapy

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