Carbohydrate targets

Carbohydrate targets represent a diverse and complex class of biomolecules, including glycans, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, that play pivotal roles in cellular physiology and disease (Varki, 2017). These molecules are central to processes such as cell-cell adhesion, intracellular signaling, and the regulation of the immune response. In many diseases, particularly cancer and chronic inflammation, the cellular "glycome" undergoes significant alterations, leading to the expression of unique carbohydrate structures that can be exploited for therapeutic purposes (Pinho & Reis, 2015). For instance, tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) serve as specific markers for targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines. Additionally, enzymes that modify carbohydrates, such as glycosidases and glycosyltransferases, are key targets for treating metabolic and infectious diseases (von Itzstein, 2007). Despite their potential, targeting carbohydrates remains challenging due to their structural complexity, low affinity for protein partners, and typically poor pharmacokinetic properties of carbohydrate-based drugs (Hevey, 2019).

Other names

Glycan targetsSaccharide targetsTumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs)Glycosylation targetsGlycome

Drugs targeting carbohydrate-related pathways function through several mechanisms: competitive inhibition of enzymes that synthesize or degrade glycans (e.g., glycosidases, neuraminidases), blocking carbohydrate-binding proteins (lectins), or using monoclonal antibodies to target specific cell-surface glycolipids or glycoproteins (Ernst & Magnani, 2009; Pinho & Reis, 2015).