Tumor Associated Antigens (TAA)

Aberrant glycosylation is a featured characteristic of cancer and plays a role in cancer pathology. Core 1 sialylation is increased dramatically in all CaP cells, and especially in PC-3 cells which makes it a biomarker for metastatic prostate cancer prognosis and may serve as a target for cancer treatment.

Lewis x and lewis y antigens and their sialyl forms are potential antigens for cancer immunotherapy. Similarly, Ganglioside GM3(Neu5Gc) glycans are absent from human normal tissues which makes it a tumor-specific-antigen an potential target for cancer immunotherapy.

Forssman antigen is a commonly occurring heterophile antigen but is thought not to be present in most humans. Recent biochemical studies, however, have shown the presence of Forssman antigen in several forms of human cancer, including gastric, colon, and lung cancers.