| abstract |
Methods and compositions are disclosed for the inhibition of cancer metastases mediated by endothelial adhesion molecules. The present invention discloses that sialyl Le a and di-sialyl Le a , which are expressed at the surface of cancer cells, function as a binding partner for LEC-CAMs, such as ELAM-1, which are expressed at the surface of endothelial cells. The present invention also discloses that LEC-CAMs, such as ELAM-1, involved in cancer metastasis share a carbohydrate domain common to both sialyl Le a and sialyl Le x . Antibodies, saccharides, glycoconjugates, enzyme inhibitors and other compounds may be used in the methods of the present invention to inhibit the binding of malignant cells to endothelial cells for a variety of purposes in vivo and in vitro. |