Functional Glycomics - Patient Immunoprofiles in Cancer

Principal Investigator: 
Prof. Dr. Stephan von Gunten, M.D. Ph.D., Research Group Leader, Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern. For more information, please visit the website.

Increasing evidence suggests that altered tumor glycosylation has an impact on tumor progression and immunity. Furthermore, most current tumor markers are based on tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACA). Patients however differ in terms of their tumor glycosylation patterns. In this BCPM and functional glycomics project, the occurrence, biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms of glyco-immune checkpoints will be analyzed in individual patients with different types of cancer. Furthermore, individual profiles of TACA-specific antibodies will be analyzed. The obtained insights shall provide avenues for the discovery of novel biomarkers and more personalized approaches for the treatment of cancer.