Abstract 2316: Therapeutic targeting of novel human stem cell and cancer associated glycans

Host and tumor surface glycans are important in regulating pivotal pathophysiological events during the development of cancer and tumor progression. Changes in glycosylation allow tumorigenic cells to seize control over developmental processes which allow cells to proliferate, invade, promote angiogenesis, and metastasize. Malignant transformation is accompanied by the expression of oncofetal antigens which are expressed on embryonic cells, tumor cells, and a few adult cells. Glycans common to human embryonic stem cells and cancer cells can be targeted using combinatorial chemistry. Several peptidomimetic ligands have been discovered using One Bead One Compound (OBOC) and One Bead Two Compound (OB2C) methods. These cell adhering ligands possess the potential to target tumorigenic cells and mediate intracellular signaling events by binding to high mannose glycans expressed on the surface of Jurkat, TK6, Her2 expressing MCF7, chemoresistant MCF7, HeLa, and SiHa cell lines. Three lead linear peptides with alternating natural and unnatural amino acids have been investigated for their in vivo targeting potential in the lymphoid leukemia, breast, and cervical cancer mouse xenograph models. In vitro and in vivo stem and cancer cell experiments, which demonstrate genetically altered glycan function, are currently being investigated for their anticancer potential. These novel agents may be used alone or in combination with chemoradiation and anti-angiogenesis strategies for treating cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2316. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2316