An Introduction to the Relationship Between Lewis x and Malignancy Mainly Related to Breast Cancer and Head Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)

Abstract

Lewis x functions as an adhesion molecule in glycolipids and glycoproteins since it mediates homophilic and heterophilic attachment of normal and tumoral cells. During malignancy, altered glycosylation is a frequent event; accumulating data support the expression of Lewis x in tumors although controversial results have been described including its relationship with patient survival. This report has been developed as an introduction to the relationship between Lewis x expression and breast cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Results obtained in our laboratory are presented in the context of the literature.

Keywords:

• Lewis x
• functions
• breast cancers
• HNSCC

Acknowledgments

The author is extremely grateful to Prof. Tatsuro Irimura for his expert comments and suggestions. Prof. Maria Virginia Croce is member of the Research Career of the Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas of the provincia de Buenos Aires.

Disclosure statement

The author declare that has no financial relationship that may lead to a conflict of interest in relation to the submitted manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National University of La Plata [Research grant number M198].