Glycosylaminoglycans (GAGs) with heparin sulphate structures are a focus of Kidscan research; findings indicate isolated compounds exert potent antitumour properties in a range of epithelial and lymphoid cancers.
Ongoing work via FPLC fractionation is evaluating the most active components (DPye and L Smyth). Inspired by this approach, parallel studies of J Wilkinson have synthesised small molecule GAG mimetics of synthesised Heparin Sulphate compounds on medulloblastoma cell lines. They are not cytotoxic, facilitate wound healing and appear active against the HGF met pathway to prevent endothelial cell dysfunction. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a natural process during development for allowing cellular differentiation.
However, this same process occurring outside of embryogenesis via epigenetic stimuli is linked with cancer progression, metastasis and invasion. During EMT, E-cadherin downregulates and cells lose their adhesions while biomarkers including S100A4 increase. Reversing the EMT process in cancer cells may be a helpful therapeutic approach.
Grant Award – Studentship 2020-2021
Funding Award – £2000
Funding Awarded to – Dr Lucy Smyth
Research Location – University of Salford
Lead Researcher – Dr Lucy Smyth
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