title: Histo-blood group antigens in cancer.
abstract: Cell surface carbohydrates undergo dramatic changes in cancer. Changes in histo-blood group antigens result from either blocked synthesis with a precursor accumulation of oligosaccharide chain, or neosynthesis caused by the activation of 'silent' glycosyl transferases. Carbohydrate antigens play a crucial role in cell-cell communication, cell growth and differentiation. Although the biological significance of tumor-associated carbohydrate changes is not completely understood, these may provide the basis for uncontrolled cell growth, invasiveness and metastatic potential. Monoclonal antibodies developed against a variety of tumor cells have been identified as being directed against different carbohydrate antigens. Carbohydrate antigens and anti-carbohydrate antibodies are being used to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cancer.
authors.affiliation: Biomembrane Institute, Seattle, WA 98119.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Singhal
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000276:immunology; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002241:Carbohydrates