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Adhesion molecules and inhibitors of glycosylation in cancer

K Olden1

  • 1National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|October 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Aberrant cell surface carbohydrates, like altered glycoproteins, are hallmarks of cancer. Understanding these changes in tumor cells is key to developing new cancer therapies targeting metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Glycobiology

Background:

  • Aberrant oligosaccharide expression on glycoproteins and glycolipids is a common feature across all tumor types.
  • These changes are linked to the malignant phenotype, influencing cell behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of altered cell surface carbohydrates in cancer progression.
  • To explore the potential of targeting carbohydrate-dependent mechanisms for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evidence linking transformation-associated alterations in glycoprotein oligosaccharides to the malignant phenotype.
  • Discussion of the need for further research into regulatory mechanisms of cell adhesion and carbohydrate biosynthesis.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests that altered oligosaccharides on surface glycoproteins contribute to the malignant phenotype.
  • The precise contribution of carbohydrates to tumor progression and metastasis requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding carbohydrate-mediated cell adhesion and biosynthesis is crucial for assessing tumor progression.
  • Rudimentary knowledge has already spurred the development of novel animal-based cancer therapies.

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