[Carbohydrate antigens and cancer].
Studies of cancer are often based upon the idea that disease can be explained satisfactorily through insight into biochemistry and molecular biology, and that diseases follow regular patterns, so that, given full understanding of the biochemical environment, their course can theoretically be predicted. This has led to the hypothesis that cancer cells or their precursors may be defined by certain products described as tumor markers. The ideal marker is one that, when present, indicates that cancer will develop and, when absent, will exclude such a possibility. Research into tumor markers has become sweeter in recent years, in that aberrant glycosylation can be detected in most types of human cancers and in some premalignant lesions. Most studies have concentrated on changes seen in the structure of cell surface carbohydrates, although changes have also been found on secreted mucins, on stomal glycoprotein, and on serum glycolipids and glycoproteins. As the terminal part of these glycoconjugates is strongly immunogenic, changes here can easily be detected by antibodies selected on basis of their reactivity with biochemically well-characterized carbohydrates. Several studies have demonstrated that the expression of certain carbohydrates in specific tumors is related to tumor prognosis. Demonstration that carbohydrates are ligands for certain cell adhesion molecules is of special interest in this context as certain carbohydrates expressed in tumors bind to activated endothelial cells and clearly may be of importance for the formation of metastases.
Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, Københavns Tandlaegeskole, afdelingen for oral diagnostik.
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Dabelsteen
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Mandel
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Clausen
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
Kulhydratantigener og cancer.