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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
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Glycan Node Analysis: A Bottom-up Approach to Glycomics
Published on: May 22, 2016
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Fucosylated N-Glycan Landscape of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Danielle A Scott1, Souvik Seal2, Laura Spruill3
1Department of Pharmacology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Molecular Cancer Research : MCR
|September 18, 2025
Summary
Outer arm-fucosylated (OAF) N-glycans are key indicators of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression and patient survival. These OAF N-glycans show potential as early biomarkers for TNBC, aiding in personalized therapy.
Area of Science:
- Glycomics
- Cancer Biology
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive and lacks targeted treatments.
- Aberrant N-glycosylation is common in cancer, but specific roles of core-fucosylated (CF) and outer arm-fucosylated (OAF) N-glycans in TNBC are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To spatially profile N-glycans in TNBC tumors.
- To investigate the association of CF and OAF N-glycans with TNBC progression and patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Multiplexed glycomics using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry.
- Analysis of 348 N-glycans in 59 TNBC tumors with clinical and survival data.
Main Results:
- OAF glycans, not CF, correlated with tumor stage (I-IV).
- 68 N-glycans associated with survival; 36 were OAF-modified, including polylactosamines.
- High OAF polylactosamine expression linked to poor prognosis and was found in early-stage TNBC.
Conclusions:
- OAF N-glycans are dynamic, structure-specific markers of TNBC progression and survival.
- Early detection of OAF N-glycans offers prognostic value for patient stratification and personalized therapy.
