Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Glycosaminoglycans in cancer treatment.

Belting, Mattias LU (2014) In Thrombosis Research 133. p.95-101
Abstract
Studies aimed at the identification of biomarkers and treatment targets of cancer have focused on mRNAs, miRNAs, and proteins expressed by malignant cells, while glycoproteins mainly produced by stromal cells remain relatively unexplored. Glycans lack a given template for their biosynthesis that involves the concerted action of several, sometimes >15 different enzymes. This fact complicates the analysis at the genomic level of the role of glycoproteins in clinical oncology. The glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) stand out as highly polyanionic components at the surface of malignant and stromal tumor cells as well as their surrounding matrix. Published data thus describe a multifaceted regulatory role of GAGs and GAG-conjugated proteins,... (More)
Studies aimed at the identification of biomarkers and treatment targets of cancer have focused on mRNAs, miRNAs, and proteins expressed by malignant cells, while glycoproteins mainly produced by stromal cells remain relatively unexplored. Glycans lack a given template for their biosynthesis that involves the concerted action of several, sometimes >15 different enzymes. This fact complicates the analysis at the genomic level of the role of glycoproteins in clinical oncology. The glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) stand out as highly polyanionic components at the surface of malignant and stromal tumor cells as well as their surrounding matrix. Published data thus describe a multifaceted regulatory role of GAGs and GAG-conjugated proteins, proteoglycans, in e.g. tumor associated angiogenesis, coagulation, invasion, and metastasis. Relatively small, randomized clinical trials suggest that heparin, an over-sulfated variant of the GAG heparan sulfate, may have direct, anti-tumor effects. Several ongoing trials aim at establishing whether heparin and its derivatives should be added to standard treatment of cancer patients or not, based on progression free- and overall survival end-point data. Given the potential bleeding complications with this treatment, other strategies to block GAG function should provide interesting alternatives. In the emerging era of personalized medicine, one can foresee the development of predictive biomarkers to select patients that may benefit from GAG-targeted treatments, aiming at individualized prevention of thromboembolic complications as well as inhibition of tumor development and progression. Here, the role of GAGs as targets and vehicles of cancer treatment is discussed with special emphasis on angiogenesis and coagulation associated mechanisms. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Thrombosis Research
volume
133
pages
95 - 101
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:24862153
  • wos:000337270400017
  • scopus:84901399018
ISSN
1879-2472
DOI
10.1016/S0049-3848(14)50016-3
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d769186d-53bc-41a0-abec-d4ef49fb6eb2 (old id 4452566)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24862153?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 11:06:39
date last changed
2022-04-28 07:15:27
@article{d769186d-53bc-41a0-abec-d4ef49fb6eb2,
  abstract     = {{Studies aimed at the identification of biomarkers and treatment targets of cancer have focused on mRNAs, miRNAs, and proteins expressed by malignant cells, while glycoproteins mainly produced by stromal cells remain relatively unexplored. Glycans lack a given template for their biosynthesis that involves the concerted action of several, sometimes >15 different enzymes. This fact complicates the analysis at the genomic level of the role of glycoproteins in clinical oncology. The glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) stand out as highly polyanionic components at the surface of malignant and stromal tumor cells as well as their surrounding matrix. Published data thus describe a multifaceted regulatory role of GAGs and GAG-conjugated proteins, proteoglycans, in e.g. tumor associated angiogenesis, coagulation, invasion, and metastasis. Relatively small, randomized clinical trials suggest that heparin, an over-sulfated variant of the GAG heparan sulfate, may have direct, anti-tumor effects. Several ongoing trials aim at establishing whether heparin and its derivatives should be added to standard treatment of cancer patients or not, based on progression free- and overall survival end-point data. Given the potential bleeding complications with this treatment, other strategies to block GAG function should provide interesting alternatives. In the emerging era of personalized medicine, one can foresee the development of predictive biomarkers to select patients that may benefit from GAG-targeted treatments, aiming at individualized prevention of thromboembolic complications as well as inhibition of tumor development and progression. Here, the role of GAGs as targets and vehicles of cancer treatment is discussed with special emphasis on angiogenesis and coagulation associated mechanisms. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}},
  author       = {{Belting, Mattias}},
  issn         = {{1879-2472}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{95--101}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Thrombosis Research}},
  title        = {{Glycosaminoglycans in cancer treatment.}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0049-3848(14)50016-3}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/S0049-3848(14)50016-3}},
  volume       = {{133}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}