Protein-sugar interaction - Principles and medical application in tumor lectin research

Protein-carbohydrate interactions are involved in multifarious physiological processes. Together with antibodies and enzymes, lectins constitute the family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. The current research activities of tumor lectinology comprise the design of custom-made carrier-immobilized carbohydrate ligands (neoglycoconjugates), their application for the detection of specific binding sites and the evaluation of potential therapeutical approaches by blocking access or by directing drug conjugates to cell surface lectins, correlation of their expression to clinical parameters such as prognosis and their biochemical characterization. Thereby, mammalian lectins are made available to serve as tools. These experimental approaches are evaluated as regards their potential for improving cancer diagnosis and therapy.