Development of a scalable synthesis of the Sialyl-Tn antigen
Type of Proposal
Oral Presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. John F. Trant
Proposal
Amandeep Sehmbi – Uwill abstract – Development of a scalable synthesis of the Sialyl-Tn antigen Amandeep Sehmbi, Michael Reynolds, John F. Trant The sialyl-Tn antigen (sTn) is a naturally occurring carbohydrate commonly associated with epithelial cancers, the carcinomas. It is never found on healthy cells. This means the glycan acts as a cancer marker, since it is not associated with normal, healthy non-foetal cells. This makes it, unlike the oncogene products, a safe target for an anti-cancer vaccine. Biosynthesis of the sTn is driven by a functionally specific sialyltransferase that facilitates the elaboration of O-glycans and is often upregulated in cancer cells. However, the enzymes that are normally involved in further glycosylating the resulting disaccharide are often missing in cancer, allowing for the formation of sTn. Presence and increased expression of sTn is often correlated with a poor prognosis, as it seems to play some role in tissue invasion and cancer metastasis. Therapeutic approaches have been developed for carcinoma with the sTn antigen as their target, however, they have not proven clinically useful. Consequently, through the synthesis of the sialyl-Tn antigen and its application, a better understanding of underlying features involved in carbohydrate immunogenicity can be achieved. This project plays an essential part in our goal to develop broad spectrum anti-carcinoma vaccines. This presentation will discuss the importance of sTn, our synthetic approach, and perspectives for the future.
Start Date
23-3-2018 10:35 AM
End Date
23-3-2018 11:55 AM
Location
Alumni Auditorium C
Development of a scalable synthesis of the Sialyl-Tn antigen
Alumni Auditorium C
Amandeep Sehmbi – Uwill abstract – Development of a scalable synthesis of the Sialyl-Tn antigen Amandeep Sehmbi, Michael Reynolds, John F. Trant The sialyl-Tn antigen (sTn) is a naturally occurring carbohydrate commonly associated with epithelial cancers, the carcinomas. It is never found on healthy cells. This means the glycan acts as a cancer marker, since it is not associated with normal, healthy non-foetal cells. This makes it, unlike the oncogene products, a safe target for an anti-cancer vaccine. Biosynthesis of the sTn is driven by a functionally specific sialyltransferase that facilitates the elaboration of O-glycans and is often upregulated in cancer cells. However, the enzymes that are normally involved in further glycosylating the resulting disaccharide are often missing in cancer, allowing for the formation of sTn. Presence and increased expression of sTn is often correlated with a poor prognosis, as it seems to play some role in tissue invasion and cancer metastasis. Therapeutic approaches have been developed for carcinoma with the sTn antigen as their target, however, they have not proven clinically useful. Consequently, through the synthesis of the sialyl-Tn antigen and its application, a better understanding of underlying features involved in carbohydrate immunogenicity can be achieved. This project plays an essential part in our goal to develop broad spectrum anti-carcinoma vaccines. This presentation will discuss the importance of sTn, our synthetic approach, and perspectives for the future.