Recent advances in developing synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccines for cancer immunotherapies. (March 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hevey, Rachel; Ling, Chang-Chun
• Is Part Of: Future medicinal chemistry. Volume 4:Number 4(2012)
• Page Start: 545
• Page End: 584
• Publication Date: 2012-03
• Subjects: Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Periodicals; 615.19005
• DOI: 10.4155/fmc.11.193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-8919

Abstract

Cancer cells can often be distinguished from healthy cells by the expression of unique carbohydrate sequences decorating the cell surface as a result of aberrant glycosyltransferase activity occurring within the cell; these unusual carbohydrates can be used as valuable immunological targets in modern vaccine designs to raise carbohydrate-specific antibodies. Many tumor antigens (e.g., GM2, Le y, globo H, sialyl Tn and TF) have been identified to date in a variety of cancers. Unfortunately, carbohydrates alone evoke poor immunogenicity, owing to their lack of ability in inducing T-cell-dependent immune responses. In order to enhance their immunogenicity and promote long-lasting immune responses, carbohydrates are often chemically modified to link to an immunogenic protein or peptide fragment for eliciting T-cell-dependent responses. This review will present a summary of efforts and advancements made to date on creating carbohydrate-based anticancer vaccines, and will include novel approaches to overcoming the poor immunogenicity of carbohydrate-based vaccines.