The significance of protein N-glycosylation in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and its clinical implications

Abstract

This comprehensive review systematically elucidates the multifaceted roles of protein N-glycosylation in lung cancer pathogenesis, including its contributions to accelerated cell proliferation, enhanced metastatic potential, promotion of epithelial‒mesenchymal transition (EMT), maintenance of stem cell characteristics, facilitation of immune evasion, preservation of angiogenesis, and diminished drug sensitivity. Additionally, the potential clinical utility of aberrant N-glycosylation is examined as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and treatment monitoring in lung cancer. The analysis highlights the critical involvement of N-glycosylation in chemotherapy resistance, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, offering new perspectives for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, this review highlights promising applications of antibody-enzyme engineering technology in achieving more precise lung cancer treatments, introducing new opportunities for the field. These findings provide a significant theoretical basis and experimental evidence to support progress in lung cancer research and treatment advancements.

Keywords: Clinical significance; Fucosylation; Lung cancer; N-Glycosylation; Sialylation.