Glycan-mediated modification of the immune response

Abstract

Aberrantly glycosylated tumor antigens represent promising targets for the development of anti-cancer vaccines, yet how glycans influence immune responses is poorly understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that GalNAcglycosylationenhances antigen uptake by dendritic cells as well as CD4+ T-cell and humoral responses, but prevents CD8+T-cell activation. Here, we briefly discuss the relevance of glycans as candidate targets for anti-cancer vaccines. © 2013 Landes Bioscience.