Glycan antigens

Glycan antigens are complex carbohydrate structures, often part of glycoproteins or glycolipids, that reside on the cell surface and mediate essential biological processes such as cell-cell recognition, adhesion, and signaling (Varki, A., 2017, Essentials of Glycobiology). In pathological states, particularly cancer, the glycosylation machinery of the cell is frequently altered, resulting in the presentation of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) like GD2, Tn, and Sialyl-Lewis X (Pinho, S. S., & Reis, C. A., 2015, Nature Reviews Cancer). These antigens are exploited as therapeutic targets because their expression is often significantly higher or structurally distinct on diseased cells compared to healthy tissue. Therapeutic strategies include monoclonal antibodies, such as Dinutuximab for neuroblastoma, and glycan-based vaccines aimed at stimulating the immune system to recognize these motifs (Heimburg-Molinaro, J., et al., 2011, Vaccine). However, the development of glycan-targeted therapies is complicated by the inherent low immunogenicity of carbohydrates and the potential for cross-reactivity with normal glycans, which can lead to off-target toxicities.

Other names

Carbohydrate antigensTumor-associated carbohydrate antigensTACAsSurface glycansGlycoantigensSaccharide antigens

Monoclonal antibodies bind to specific glycan epitopes to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), while glycan-based vaccines provide antigenic templates to stimulate the production of neutralizing antibodies.