Glycomics: Protein glycosylation changes in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Glycosylation is the most common post-translational modification of proteins, and glycosylation changes at cell surfaces are frequently associated with malignant epithelia. These affect many functions including proliferation, motility and invasiveness, increasing the propensity to metastasise. Many head & neck squamous cell carcinomata (HNSCC), especially those originating in the lymphoid mucosa of the oropharynx, are driven by so-called high risk genotypes of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Five-year survival remains poor, averaging around 50% globally: this is partly related to late diagnosis. Specific protein glycosylation signatures on malignant keratinocy..