Glycomics: Is it the answer to all cancer issues?

What is Glycomics?

• Glycomics is the study of glycomes including physiologic, genetic and various other aspects. It is nothing but the systematic study of the structures of the cell components of which glycan is the most important.
• The cell mainly consists of sugar and its complexes. The structures of sugar are not linear. Rather it has a highly branched structure. Glycan is modified sugar thus their structures are much more complex. So studying them is not at all easy.
• Again glycomes are rarely found in isolated form. They are either found around the proteins (glycoproteins) or around the lipids(glycolipids).

Importance of glycomics:

• Glycomes are an essential part of the cellular body. The glycol proteins are found on the surface of the cells.
• They are even involved in the cellular pathway and carry out various cellular functions.
• Since they are an important of the cell, any abnormal growth of the cell can be easily diagnosed with the help of the glycomes. Thus cancer, which is nothing but abnormal growth or destruction of the cells, is easily determined by studying the structures of the glycomes.

Role in cancer treatment:

• Glycobiologists all over the world have been studying the structures of the glycomes of normal cell and cancer effected cells. If the main reason due to the abnormal behavior of the cell is found out by studying carefully the behavior of the cell glycomes, then ways to eradicate them will also follow the suit.
• Cancer is one of those few diseases in the universe which has still now no concrete and full proof treatment. Thus if a way out can be achieved to eradicate cancer in the full proof way then it will be the greatest achievement for the human being.
• Most of the FDA approved cancer biomarkers consist of nothing but glycoproteins. But much is not known about how their structures are altered in cancer cells. Once this is revealed the diagnosis for cancer can improved highly.
• If the glycobiologists can create the cancer behavior of the cell involving various glycoprotein and glycolipid in an artificial way, then the exact reasons behind the occurrence of cancer can be easily known. Once it is known, by reverting the causes of the cancer proper treatment can also be found out.

• Various presentations are available in the internet as well as in the market regarding the progress that has been made in the study of the glycome.
• But to attract the leading glycobiologist experts for this purpose, they must be offered lucrative incentives as this research is quite tiresome and lengthy.
• The National Cancer Institute is trying to simplify and release the structures and the functions of the glycans in the cells that lead to oncogenesis. They also has a mission to exploit the aberrant glycosylation in cancer cells for the development of ways to diagnose, detect and prevent cancer.
• Determining proper measure of the glycoproteins in the cell is also essential. The remedy to be made for cancer must keep in mind the amount of glycoproteins lost or in excess. Otherwise fruitful treatment if not at all possible.

• Many well known institutes around the world are participating every day in the cancer research program. This in turn is attracting many experienced as well as young talents to come and join together for this research.
• The main aim for the researchers now is the glycoproteins which has become the bull’s eye in the medical world these days. The slightest of the development in the study of the glycoprotein is a big step towards advancement.
• As said earlier glycoprotein have many vital roles in the cell body the primary of them being the immunity system. Thus if the count of the glycoprotein is found to be somewhat less on the surface of the cell then there is a greater risk for cancer to attack the cell.
• Misfolding of the proteins with some specific sugars gives rise to poor quality and quantity of glycoprotein. Thus proper method should be adopted for the folding of the proteins.
• Bald cells lacking the glycoprotein layer has no immunity power of their own. Whereas the healthy cells with proper folding of the proteins has sufficient immunity power. This can prevent the chances of cancer in human body in a large way.
• Thus if by studying the glycomes all these queations can be answered successfully then it can be said that we have a remedy for cancer.
• Hence it can be said that glycomics, in some way, is the answer to cancer issues.