What role do sugar modifications play in the rapid growth of Burkitt Lymphoma?

How do sugar modifications impact tumour behaviour? And can targeting these modifications lead to potential new targeted treatments?

 

Dr Giorgia Chiodin from the University of Southampton is investigating the role of sugar modifications on the surface proteins of cancer cells in Burkitt lymphoma (BL), an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the immune system’s B cells. Her research aims to uncover how these sugar changes impact tumour behaviour, potentially leading to new, targeted treatments.  

The Challenge

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer, characterised by its rapid growth and poor prognosis.[1] A key feature of BL is the presence of specific sugar modifications (acquired N-glycosylation sites, or AGS) on the surface of certain proteins (called immunoglobulin) of cancer cells.[2] These sugar modifications can influence how the cancer behaves, yet their exact role in BL remains unclear. Previous research on related cancers suggests that these sugar changes can significantly impact tumour growth and progression. Therefore, understanding how these sugar modifications affect BL could unlock new avenues for treatment, potentially leading to more effective therapies for this challenging disease.

Research Plan

Dr Chiodin’s study aims to explore the role of these immunoglobulin sugar modifications in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) through a comprehensive research approach. The study will begin by analysing data from large cohorts of BL patients, focusing on the locations of these sugar modifications on the surface proteins of cancer cells and their correlation with patient outcomes. This large-scale analysis will help identify patterns that could be crucial for prognosis and treatment strategies. Following this, Dr Chiodin will use advanced laboratory techniques to identify and analyse the specific types of sugars attached to these proteins, providing insights into how these modifications may contribute to the aggressive nature of BL. Finally, the study will test the impact of these sugar modifications on the behaviour of BL cells by creating cell models that either possess or lack these modifications. This will allow for the observation of how these changes affect cell signalling, interactions, and overall cancer progression.

[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-022-00404-3

[2] Graham BS, Lynch DT. Burkitt Lymphoma. [Updated 2023 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538148/

Project information

Lead researcher

Dr Giorgia Chiodin

University

University of Southampton

Blood cancer type

BL

Award type

John Goldman Fellowship

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 What difference will this research make? 

The findings from this research could have significant implications for the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma. By uncovering how sugar modifications influence the behaviour of BL cells, this study could pave the way for new, targeted therapies that specifically address these changes. Such treatments could improve the effectiveness of current strategies, offering new hope for better management of this aggressive cancer. Additionally, the insights gained from this research could extend beyond BL, potentially benefiting patients with other types of lymphoma that share similar characteristics, leading to broader advancements in cancer care and improved outcomes for patients across the board.

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