Glycans (glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosaminoglycans) are expressed on the cell surface and play key roles in mediating: cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions; protein-receptor signaling; and appropriate protein folding and maturation during translation. Malignant transformation and tumor progression correlate with aberrant changes in cellular glycosylation. Cells presenting with an altered glycocalyx are recognized by immune cells, leading to induction of inhibitory immune processes which subsequently drive tumor growth and metastasis. A focus on the glycobiology of cancer thus offers the possibility of revealing both new diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets (glycosyltransferases, cancer-associated glycans). This symposium will cover recent work on the roles glycans play in cancer (signaling, tumor progression, metastasis) and their potential as diagnostics and therapeutic targets.
