Glycosylated proteins with abnormal glycosylation changes are potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of breast cancer

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 May 1:236:123855. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123855. Epub 2023 Mar 1.

Abstract

Conventional cancer management relies on tumor type and stage for diagnosis and treatment, which leads to recurrence and metastasis and death in young women. Early detection of proteins in the serum aids diagnosis, progression, and clinical outcomes, possibly improving survival rate of breast cancer patients. In this review, we provided an insight into the influence of aberrant glycosylation on breast cancer development and progression. Examined literatures revealed that mechanisms underlying glycosylation moieties alteration could enhance early detection, monitoring, and therapeutic efficacy in breast cancer patients. This would serve as a guide for the development of new serum biomarkers with higher sensitivity and specificity, providing possible serological biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis, progression, and treatment.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Breast cancer; Glycan; Glycosylation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Polysaccharides

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glycoproteins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Polysaccharides