# Novel Platform linking cancer-specific glycosylation with cell signaling outcomes

> **NIH NIH R21** · FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $184,375

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Abnormal glycosylation is a hallmark of many cancers that contributes to tumor growth and invasion. There
are many protein receptors that are regulated abnormally in cancer due to mutations and/or alterations in
glycosylation. Studies to link specific glycosylation changes to signaling outcomes have primarily focused on
studies of individual receptors or specific pathways. Methods that can link forms of tumor-specific
glycosylation to global effects on signaling pathway activation are needed to better identify potential new
targets for therapeutics. To overcome this limitation we are employing the use of heterobifunctional molecule
that will link cancer-specific glycosylation on protein receptors with a proximity- induced ubiquitination. To
demonstrate the potential and applicability of this method we are using a novel scFv antibody that recognizes
tumor-specific glycans present on ovarian cancer and glioblastoma cells that has been demonstrated to have
excellent cell permeability. Combining the scFv with proteolysis targeting molecules will enable us to identify
receptors and signaling changes using mass spectrometry methods. Successful completion of this project will
establish a new platform useful for both basic science research and clinical therapeutic development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10253467
- **Project number:** 7R21CA229044-03
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** KAREN L. ABBOTT
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $184,375
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2018-09-12 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10253467

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10253467, Novel Platform linking cancer-specific glycosylation with cell signaling outcomes (7R21CA229044-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10253467. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*