title: Alterations in glycosylation as biomarkers for cancer detection.
abstract: Glycoconjugates constitute a major class of biomolecules which include glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids and proteoglycans. Glycans are involved in several physiological and pathological conditions, such as host-pathogen interactions, cell differentiation, migration, tumour invasion and metastisation, cell trafficking and signalling. Cancer is associated with glycosylation alterations in glycoproteins and glycolipids. This review describes various aspects of protein glycosylation with the focus on alterations associated with human cancer. The application of these glycosylation modifications as biomarkers for cancer detection in tumour tissues and serological assays is summarised.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto - IPATIMUP, Porto 4200-465, Portugal. celsor@ipatimup.pt
authors.forename: Celso A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Osorio
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins