Prognostic significance of highly sulfated chondroitin sulfates in ovarian cancer defined by the single chain antibody GD3A11.

Objective: The extracellular matrix (ECM) of ovarian cancer may provide a number of potential biomarkers. Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a class of sulfated polysaccharides, is abundantly present in the ECM of ovarian cancer. Structural alterations of CS chains (i.

Primary ovarian carcinomas and abdominal metastasis contain 4,6-disulfated chondroitin sulfate rich regions, which provide adhesive properties to tumour cells.

High mortality in ovarian cancer patients is primarily caused through rapid metastasis of the tumour, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Glycosaminoglycans, are abundantly present in tumours and chondroitin sulfate-E (CSE), a highly 4,6-sulfated glycosaminoglycan, has been indicated to play a role in carcinogenesis. In this study we investigated the presence of CSE in ovarian cancer metastasis and studied its role in tumour cell adhesiveness and migration.

Sulfated sugars in the extracellular matrix orchestrate ovarian cancer development: 'when sweet turns sour'.

Considering the high mortality of ovarian cancer, novel approaches for diagnostics and therapy are urgently needed. Cancer initiation, progression, and invasion occur in a complex and dynamic microenvironment which depends on the interplay between host cell responses and tumor activity. Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a special highly sulfated sugar, forms an important intermediate player in this respect.

Novel single-chain antibody GD3A10 defines a chondroitin sulfate biomarker for ovarian cancer.

Aims: Ovarian cancer has the highest case-to-fatality-index of all gynecological cancers. In this study, tumor-related alterations in the extracellular matrix, especially regarding chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans, are proposed as a novel biomarker in ovarian cancer.

Materials & Methods: Phage display technology was applied to select antibody GD3A10, which was obtained by biopanning using embryonic glycosaminoglycans as a source for carcinogenic antigens.

Highly sulfated chondroitin sulfates, a novel class of prognostic biomarkers in ovarian cancer tissue.

Objective: Clinical decision making in ovarian cancer needs new (prognostic) biomarkers. Although the search for biomarkers has traditionally focused on tumor cells, their surrounding contains important information as well. Glycosaminoglycans, heterogeneous polysaccharides which are abundantly present in the stromal compartment, are indicated in several pathological processes including cancer.