IgG galactosylation changes in cancer

The incidence and mortality rates of cancer continue to rise globally. To facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment, and thereby improve the survival outcomes for cancer patients, numerous detection methods have been employed into clinical practice. Glycosylation, a common biological regulatory process, plays a key role in both physiological and pathological processes. Glycans are oligosaccharides composed of a variety of monosaccharides, and galactose is an important terminal structure of glycans. Notably, increased agalactosylated IgG is commonly associated with the occurrence and progression of cancers; however, the clinical utility of IgG galactosylation in cancer remains a contentious topic. This review summarizes current evidence on alternations in serum and plasma IgG galactosylation in cancer patients, discusses potential mechanisms underlying these changes, and highlights future use in cancer detection, diagnosis, and prognosis. Overall, IgG galactosylation holds significant promise not only for the diagnosis of malignant tumors but also for distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors, cancer staging and monitoring progression. IgG galactosylation could serve as a complementary parameter to existing cancer markers, thereby contributing to more precise and timely diagnosis and treatment of cancers.