Sialoglycan (on tumor cells)

Sialoglycans are cell surface carbohydrates containing terminal sialic acids, created by the enzymatic action of sialyltransferases, and are highly expressed on the surface of many tumor cells. This hypersialylation enables cancer cells to evade immune surveillance by engaging inhibitory Siglec receptors on immune cells, thereby suppressing immune responses and facilitating tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to apoptosis. Sialoglycans modulate interactions with the extracellular matrix, affecting cell adhesion and migration. They represent emerging immunotherapeutic targets, including inhibitors of sialylation pathways and agents blocking sialoglycan-Siglec interactions; their altered expression patterns or serum levels also function as biomarkers in cancer.

Other names

Sialylated glycanhypersialylated glycansialic acid-containing glycan

Enzyme inhibition (reduce sialylation, disrupt immune suppression); Blocking Siglec engagement (relieve immune cell inhibition); Revealing tumor antigens for immune recognition