Imaging Cancer Sialylation
Author Information
Author(s): Ivan Martinez-Duncker, Roberta Salinas-Marin, Carlos Martinez-Duncker
Primary Institution: Human Glycobiology Laboratory, Autonomous University of the State of Morelos
Hypothesis
Can in vivo imaging of sialylation provide valuable information for cancer diagnosis and prognosis?
Conclusion
In vivo imaging of tumor sialylation could enhance cancer management by providing additional insights into carbohydrate metabolism.
Supporting Evidence
- Sialylated antigens are overexpressed in cancer cells and are associated with worse prognosis.
- Imaging sialylation could provide complementary information to existing PET imaging techniques.
- Current methods for assessing sialylation are limited to tissue biopsies.
Takeaway
This study looks at how we can see special sugars on cancer cells that help doctors understand how aggressive the cancer is.
Methodology
The study discusses various strategies for imaging sialylated oligosaccharides in vivo, including metabolic labeling and the use of imaging probes.
Limitations
Current imaging techniques are limited to tissue sections from biopsies, restricting the ability to assess sialylation over time.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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