Glycopeptide dendrimers, Part III -: a review:: Use of glycopeptide dendrimers in immunotherapy and diagnosis of cancer and viral diseases

Glycopeptide dendrimers containing different types of tumor associated-carbohydrate antigens T-N, TF, sialyl-T-N, sialyl-TF, sialyl-Le(x), sialyl-Le(a) etc.) were used in diagnosis and therapy of different sorts of cancer. These dendrimeric structures with incorporated T-cell epitopes and adjuvants can be used as antitumor vaccines. Best results were obtained with multiantigenic vaccines, containing, e.g. five or six different TAAs. The topic of TAAs and their dendrimeric forms at molecular level are reviewed, including structure, syntheses, and biological activities. Use of glycopeptide dendrimers as antiviral vaccines against HIV and influenza is also described. Their syntheses, physico-chemical properties, and biological activities are given with many examples. Copyright (C) 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.