Targeting glycosylation to enhance tumor immunotherapy

Abstract

Glycans are complex sugar modifications found on cell surfaces that play crucial roles in biological processes. Glycosylation patterns are aberrantly altered in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which helps cancer cells escape immune surveillance by creating a tumor-specific 'glyco-code' that weakens immune responses and reduces immunotherapy effectiveness. Recent studies have illustrated the potential to improve antitumor immune responses by manipulating glycosylation in the TME. We review the effects of aberrant glycosylation on the regulation of tumor immunity and the corresponding strategies for manipulating glycosylation to enhance antitumor immunity. These strategies include inhibiting glycan-receptor interactions, engineering cell-surface glycans, and remodeling the extracellular matrix. This Review highlights the importance of glycosylation in designing effective and personalized cancer treatments.

Keywords: glycoengineering; glycosylation; immunotherapy; lectins; tumor immunity; tumor microenvironment.