Challenges in Antibody Development against Tn and Sialyl-Tn Antigens
1
CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School/Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, Lisboa 1169-056, Portugal
2
IBET—Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras 2781-901, Portugal
3
IHMT, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, Lisboa 1349-008, Portugal
4
Structural and Functional Glycobiology Unit, UMR CNRS 8576, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq 59655, France
5
Departamento Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Academic Editor: Hans Vliegenthart
Biomolecules 2015, 5(3), 1783-1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom5031783
Received: 9 June 2015 / Revised: 19 July 2015 / Accepted: 31 July 2015 / Published: 11 August 2015
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Glycan, Glycoprotein and Proteoglycan Research)
The carbohydrate antigens Tn and sialyl-Tn (STn) are expressed in most carcinomas and usually absent in healthy tissues. These antigens have been correlated with cancer progression and poor prognosis, and associated with immunosuppressive microenvironment. Presently they are used in clinical trials as therapeutic vaccination, but with limited success due to their low immunogenicity. Alternatively, anti-Tn and/or STn antibodies may be used to harness the immune system against tumor cells. Whilst the development of antibodies against these antigens had a boost two decades ago for diagnostic use, so far no such antibody entered into clinical trials. Possible limitations are the low specificity and efficiency of existing antibodies and that novel antibodies are still necessary. The vast array of methodologies available today will allow rapid antibody development and novel formats. Following the advent of hybridoma technology, the immortalization of human B cells became a methodology to obtain human monoclonal antibodies with better specificity. Advances in molecular biology including phage display technology for high throughput screening, transgenic mice and more recently molecularly engineered antibodies enhanced the field of antibody production. The development of novel antibodies against Tn and STn taking advantage of innovative technologies and engineering techniques may result in innovative therapeutic antibodies for cancer treatment.
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Keywords:
Tn antigen; Sialyl Tn antigen; immune response; therapeutic antibodies; antibody production
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MDPI and ACS Style
Loureiro, L.R.; Carrascal, M.A.; Barbas, A.; Ramalho, J.S.; Novo, C.; Delannoy, P.; Videira, P.A. Challenges in Antibody Development against Tn and Sialyl-Tn Antigens. Biomolecules 2015, 5, 1783-1809.
AMA Style
Loureiro LR, Carrascal MA, Barbas A, Ramalho JS, Novo C, Delannoy P, Videira PA. Challenges in Antibody Development against Tn and Sialyl-Tn Antigens. Biomolecules. 2015; 5(3):1783-1809.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLoureiro, Liliana R.; Carrascal, Mylène A.; Barbas, Ana; Ramalho, José S.; Novo, Carlos; Delannoy, Philippe; Videira, Paula A. 2015. "Challenges in Antibody Development against Tn and Sialyl-Tn Antigens" Biomolecules 5, no. 3: 1783-1809.
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