Open AccessOverexpression of tumour‐ssociated carbohydrate antigen sialyl‐Tn in advanced bladder tumours
Author(s) -
Ferreira José Alexandre,
Videira Paula A.,
Lima Luís,
Pereira Sofia,
Silva Mariana,
Carrascal Mylène,
Severino Paulo F.,
Fernandes Elisabete,
Almeida Andreia,
Costa Céu,
Vitorino Rui,
Amaro Teresina,
Oliveira Maria J.,
Reis Celso A.,
Dall'Olio Fabio,
Amado Francisco,
Santos Lúcio Lara
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.332
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1878-0261
pISSN - 1574-7891
DOI - 10.1016/j.molonc.2013.03.001
Subject(s) - urothelium , bladder cancer , biology , antigen , cancer research , malignancy , cancer , pathology , urinary bladder , immunology , medicine , genetics
Little is known on the expression of the tumour‐associated carbohydrate antigen sialyl‐Tn (STn), in bladder cancer. We report here that 75% of the high‐grade bladder tumours, presenting elevated proliferation rates and high risk of recurrence/progression expressed STn. However, it was mainly found in non‐proliferative areas of the tumour, namely in cells invading the basal and muscle layers. STn was also found in tumour‐adjacent mucosa, which suggests its dependence on a field effect of the tumour. Furthermore, it was not expressed by the normal urothelium, demonstrating the cancer‐specific nature of this antigen. STn expression correlated with that of sialyltransferase ST6GalNAc.I, its major biosynthetic enzyme. The stable expression of ST6GalNAc.I in the bladder cancer cell line MCR induced STn expression and a concomitant increase of cell motility and invasive capability. Altogether, these results indicate for the first time a link between STn expression and malignancy in bladder cancer. Hence, therapies targeting STn may constitute new treatment approaches for these tumours.