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Molecular changes in carbohydrate antigens associated with cancer
Author(s) -
Singhal Anil,
Hakomori SenItiroh
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950120506
Subject(s) - epitope , monoclonal antibody , antigen , glycosylation , biology , cancer , carbohydrate , antibody , malignant transformation , transformation (genetics) , computational biology , biochemistry , cancer research , immunology , gene , genetics
Oncogenic transformation is often associated with aberrant glycosylation in experimental and human tumors. The carbohydrate epitopes, resulting either from incomplete synthesis or neosynthesis, accumulate in high density, possibly in a novel conformation, at the tumor cell surface. A variety of monoclonal antibodies have been developed that recognize tumor‐associated carbohydrate antigens and their aberrant organization at the cell surface. These carbohydrate epitopes and the antibodies specific to these structures are being exploited to develop novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for cancer.