Glycoproteins or glycosylated proteins are carbohydrates (oligosaccharide
chains or glycan’s) linked proteins and execute important functions in the biological
systems, such as embryonic development, cell-to-cell recognition, adhesion, pathogen
identification and immune functions. It is evident that the alteration of glycoproteins in
cells are associated with a number of human diseases, including cancer, rheumatoid
arthritis, inflammatory diseases as well as immunodeficiency diseases. Recent
advances in modern technologies in cancer treatment are promising. However,
researchers and clinicians are still searching for appropriate biomarkers for the early
detection and management of patients with cancer. Altered glycoprotein levels are
associated with critical events in cancer pathogenesis and progression. Also, abnormal
glycosylation of protein is a common regulatory event in carcinogenesis, therefore,
aberrant glycosylation could act as a promising resource in identifying a cancer
biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of patients with cancers.
This chapter summarizes the major clinically approved glycoproteins utilized for
screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of the treatment response of patients with cancers.
Keywords: α-fetoprotein, Biomarkers, Breast Cancer, Cancer antigen, Carbohydrates, Cancer Diagnosis Glycoprotein, Cell, Colon cancer, Glycosylation, Glycan, Lung cancer, Microenvironment, Mucins, Neoplasia, NGlycosylation, Ovarian Cancer, O-glycosylation, Proteins, Prostate cancer, Prostate-specific antibody, Targeting therapy.
