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.

 

© Aldona vo Gunten

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.