[Blocking of carbohydrate adhesion. A new principle for therapy of many conditions?]

Cell adhesion is of fundamental biological importance. In this article we describe the therapeutic potential of blocking carbohydrate dependent adhesion. The animal studies are promising, and there is a realistic hope that "anti-adhesion" therapy for acute conditions like reperfusion injury and severe infections will be of clinical value. Treatment of more chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer by blocking carbohydrate mediated cell adhesion is theoretically possible, but probably more difficult.