Targeting sialic acid–Siglec interactions to reverse immune suppression in cancer

• Published in: Glycobiology (Oxford) Vol. 28; no. 9; pp. 640 - 647
• Main Authors: Adams, Olivia Joan, Stanczak, Michal A, von Gunten, Stephan, Läubli, Heinz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Humans; Immune Tolerance - immunology; Immunity, Innate; Immunotherapy; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid - immunology; Neoplasms - immunology; Neoplasms - therapy; Sialic Acid Binding Immunoglobulin-like Lectins - immunology; blocking antibodies; acetyl-neuraminic acid; immune evasion; glycolyl-neuraminic acid; hypersialylation; cancer immunotherapy
• ISSN: 0959-6658; 1460-2423
• DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwx108

Abstract Changes in sialic acids in cancer have been observed for many years. In particular, the increase of sialoglycan density or hypersialylation in tumors has been described. Recent studies have identified mechanisms for immune evasion based on sialoglycan interactions with immunoregulatory Siglec receptors that are exploited by tumor cells and microorganisms alike. Siglecs are mostly inhibitory receptors similar to known immune checkpoints including PD-1 or CTLA-4 that are successfully targeted with blocking antibodies for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we summarize the known changes of sialic acids in cancer and the role Siglec receptors play in cancer immunity. We also focus on potential ways to target these Siglec receptors or sialoglycans in order to improve anti-cancer immunity.