Glycomic, Glycoproteomic, and Proteomic Profiling of Philippine Lung Cancer and Peritumoral Tissues: Case Series Study of Patients Stages I-III

Simple Summary Protein glycosylation is a protein modification that contributes to a protein's biological function. Over the years, it has been shown that protein glycosylation is correlated with cancer progression. Although much research has been performed on lung cancer protein glycosylation, clinical studies were conducted primarily on Caucasian populations. Hence, we are looking for protein glycosylation cancer biomarkers in a Philippine population, to identify which protein glycosylation modifications are unique to this population. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounting for majority of lung cancers. Thus, it is important to find potential biomarkers, such as glycans and glycoproteins, which can be used as diagnostic tools against NSCLC. Here, the N-glycome, proteome, and N-glycosylation distribution maps of tumor and peritumoral tissues of Filipino lung cancer patients (n = 5) were characterized. We present several case studies with varying stages of cancer development (I-III), mutation status (EGFR, ALK), and biomarker expression based on a three-gene panel (CD133, KRT19, and MUC1). Although the profiles of each patient were unique, specific trends arose that correlated with the role of aberrant glycosylation in cancer progression. Specifically, we observed a general increase in the relative abundance of high-mannose and sialofucosylated N-glycans in tumor samples. Analysis of the glycan distribution per glycosite revealed that these sialofucosylated N-glycans were specifically attached to glycoproteins involved in key cellular processes, including metabolism, cell adhesion, and regulatory pathways. Protein expression profiles showed significant enrichment of dysregulated proteins involved in metabolism, adhesion, cell-ECM interactions, and N-linked glycosylation, supporting the protein glycosylation results. The present case series study provides the first demonstration of a multi-platform mass-spectrometric analysis specifically for Filipino lung cancer patients.

Automated summary

Protein glycosylation is a modification that affects a protein's function and has been correlated with cancer progression. This study aims to find unique protein glycosylation cancer biomarkers in a Philippine population, as previous research has focused on Caucasian populations. Lung cancer, particularly NSCLC, is a major cause of cancer death, and identifying potential biomarkers is crucial for diagnosis. The study analyzed the glycosylation patterns and protein expression profiles of Filipino lung cancer patients, and found specific trends that support the role of aberrant glycosylation in cancer progression.