Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research
Representative image for the Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research
Glycans are sugars that are linked together, which often form complex structures and are bound to proteins and lipids. These molecules are expressed on the surfaces of cells and mediate many biological processes. Recent evidence suggests that cancers display alterations in glycan structures, and glycan-based biomarkers represent a largely untapped area relevant to cancer detection and diagnosis.
This Alliance is determining the biological mechanisms that alter glycosylation to promote cancer and developing glycan-based markers that can be used for the early detection of cancer.
The U01 research projects of the Alliance were funded by the NCI Division of Cancer Biology and NCI Division of Cancer Prevention through PAR-17-206 and PAR-17-207.
Additional information can be found on the Alliance’s website.
Biological Tumor Glycomics Laboratories
The five Biological Tumor Glycomics Laboratories of the Alliance are advancing the understanding of the role of altered glycosylation and other modifications in carbohydrate structure in cancer. Researchers of the laboratories are investigating the biology of modifications in carbohydrate structure that influence cellular transformation, cancer progression, and metastasis. Ultimately, the basic findings and glycobiological data aim to be the translated into clinical applications.
Translational Tumor Glycomics Laboratories
The five Translational Tumor Glycomics Laboratories of the Alliance are discovering how structural changes in carbohydrates promote cancer progression and identifying glycan-based abnormalities that can be used as biomarkers for early cancer detection. The most promising biomarker candidates will ultimately be tested in clinical validation studies.
Partnering Groups with the Alliance
The Common Fund Glycoscience Program (CFG) partners with the Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research. It offers many unique core resources that are specific to glycomics and CFG labs have developed and share numerous tools for glycoscience studies.
NCI's Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) promotes the clinical validation of cancer biomarkers for early detection and cancer risk. This consortium is helping labs of the Alliance validate glycan-based cancer biomarkers.
Resources from the Alliance of Glycobiologists
Standard Operating Procedures
Database Sources and Analysis Tools
- Consortium for Functional Glycomics databases
- Design Studies Related to the Development of Distributed, Web-based European Carbohydrate Databases (EUROCarbDB)
- KEGG Carbohydrate Matcher (KCaM)
- KEGG Orthology (KO) groups for glycosyltransferases
- Lectins
- LIPID MAPS
Reagents
Useful Websites
DCB Contact for the Alliance
For additional information about the Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research, please contact Dr. Natalia Mercer.
Funded Projects
PAR-17-206: Translational Tumor Glycomics Laboratories
| Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Project Title |
|---|---|---|
| Florida International University | Karen L. Abbott | Glycomics Laboratory for the for the Development of Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers |
| Van Andel Research Institute | Brian B. Haab, Randy Brand | Subpopulations of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Defined by Glycan Markers |
| University of Michigan at Ann Arbor | David M. Lubman, Yehia Mechref | Screening of Glycan Markers in Serum for Early Detection of HCC in Different Etiologies of Disease |
| Medical University of South Carolina | Anand S. Mehta, Richard Drake, Amit Singal, Yujin Hoshida | Glycopathology of HCC: Identification of the Source Cells of Serum Fucosylation |
| Stanford University | Sharon Pitteri, Carolyn Bertozzi, James Brooks | Glycosylation and Immune Evasion in Urologic Tumors |
PAR-17-207: Biological Tumor Glycomics Laboratories
| Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Project Title |
|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Susan L. Bellis, Lance Wells | Sialylation-dependent Mechanisms Driving Pancreatic Cancer Progression |
| Florida International University | Charles Dimitroff, Stuart Haslam | Analysis of Glycomic Regulators in Melanoma Progression |
| Drexel University | Mauricio Reginato, Lauren Ball | Role of O-GlcNAcome on Breast Cancer Initiating Cells |
| Florida International University | Robert Sackstein | Analysis of E-selectin Ligands of Human Acute Leukemia Cells and their Biology in Leukemogenesis |
| University of South Florida | Lianchun Wang, Houjian Cai | Heparan Sulfate in Prostate Cancer |