Developments in Synthesis of Tumor-associated Antigen Globo H

Abstract

Globo H is a tumor-associated antigen which is found overexpressed on the cell surface of most cancers. This antigen can be used as an important biomarker for the specific study of the immune response. In clinical trials demonstrated that globo H-conjugate vaccine was effective in inducing humoral antibody response. The significant biological property of globo H have prompted many synthetic efforts toward this hexasaccharide glycosphingolipid as a therapeutic target. This review describes recent progresses in chemical and enzymatic synthesis of globo H for further developments of cancer immunotherapy.