Polysaccharide Bioactivity in Cancer Therapeutics

Polysaccharides, large carbohydrate polymers extracted from plants, fungi and microorganisms, have emerged as versatile agents in cancer therapeutics. Their structural diversity underpins a broad range of bioactivities, including direct cytotoxic effects on tumour cells, modulation of immune responses and enhancement of conventional therapies. Key mechanisms involve activation of innate and adaptive immunity, regulation of oxidative stress and interference with tumour microenvironment signalling. Particular classes such as β-glucans and heteropolysaccharides prime macrophages, dendritic cells and natural killer cells, promoting cytokine secretion and inducing apoptosis. Advances in extraction, structural characterisation and formulation have facilitated translation into preclinical and early clinical studies, highlighting global interest in carbohydrate-based adjuvants and immunomodulators for precision oncology.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have elucidated the molecular basis of plant-derived polysaccharide immunomodulation. One seminal work demonstrated that a specific polysaccharide activates the TLR4–MyD88 pathway in macrophages, leading to upregulated expression of TRAF6, NF-κB and AP-1 and increased production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In murine tumour models, oral administration resulted in enhanced immune organ indices, elevated TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels and significant tumour growth inhibition in wild-type but not TLR4- or MyD88-deficient strains. These findings provide a mechanistic rationale for polysaccharide adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy and pave the way for rational design of bioactive carbohydrate-based agents.

Polysaccharide Bioactivity in Cancer Therapeutics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in polysaccharide bioactivity in cancer therapeutics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

β-glucan: A polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers with β-glycosidic bonds, known for immunomodulatory properties.

Cytokine: A small secreted protein that mediates intercellular communication in immune responses.

Macrophage: An innate immune cell that engulfs pathogens and presents antigens, crucial for antitumour immunity.

TLR4–MyD88 pathway: A signalling cascade initiated by toll-like receptor 4, leading to activation of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory gene expression.

Apoptosis: Programmed cell death mechanism often targeted in cancer therapies to eliminate malignant cells.

References

1. The effects of β-glucan on human immune and cancer cells. Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2009).
2. Advances in Research on Immunoregulation of Macrophages by Plant Polysaccharides. Frontiers in Immunology (2019).
3. A Review of the Pharmacological Action of Astragalus Polysaccharide. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2020).
4. Astragalus polysaccharides exerts immunomodulatory effects via TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Scientific Reports (2017).
5. Mushroom Polysaccharides: Chemistry and Antiobesity, Antidiabetes, Anticancer, and Antibiotic Properties in Cells, Rodents, and Humans. Foods (2016).