Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA) (TACA)

Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are a diverse group of glycans and glycolipids that are overexpressed or aberrantly synthesized on the surface of malignant cells [6]. These "cancer-associated sugars" result from alterations in the expression of glycosyltransferases and glycosidases during oncogenesis, leading to structures like sialyl-Lewis antigens, GD2, and Globo H [6]. Biologically, TACAs play pivotal roles in tumor cell adhesion to the endothelium, facilitating metastasis, and contributing to immune evasion by masking peptide epitopes or interacting with inhibitory receptors on immune cells [6]. In clinical practice, TACAs such as CA19-9 and CA125 are widely used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers [6]. Therapeutically, they are targeted by monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Dinutuximab) and carbohydrate-based vaccines designed to stimulate the immune system against tumor-specific glycan signatures [1, 4]. However, the development of TACA-directed therapies faces hurdles such as the inherently low immunogenicity of carbohydrates and the risk of off-target toxicity if the antigens are expressed at low levels in healthy tissues [6]. References: [1] National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov). [2] FDA (fda.gov). [3] Hernandez et al. (2013) Expert Rev Vaccines. [4] ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02503774). [5] Lohse et al. (2018) Clin Cancer Res. [6] Heimburg-Molinaro et al. (2011) Vaccine.

Other names

Cancer-associated sugarsCancer-associated glycansTumor-associated glycansAberrant glycansTumor-associated carbohydrate antigens

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), Vaccine-induced immune response, and Inhibition of selectin-mediated cell adhesion.