Sulfated N-glycans Upregulation in Sera Predicts Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Patients

Abstract Alterations in sulfated glycans are associated with several pathological conditions, including cancer. However, analysis of sulfated glycans poses challenges, making the investigation of sulfated glycan profiles a topic of significant interest in the search for novel biomarkers for early BC detection. We used a glycoblotting-based sulphoglycomics workflow to examine sulfated N-glycans present in the serum of Ethiopian patients with BC. Seven mono-sulfated glycans were significantly upregulated in the sera of BC patients compared to the control group. Each identified glycan showed significant abundance with AUC ≥ 0.8 and demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in predicting early stage BC patients. Importantly, the sulfated glycans were analyzed without removing the sialic group, allowing for comprehensive evaluation of the sialylation status of the identified sulfated glycans. This study represents the first quantitative analysis of sulfated N-glycans in patients with BC and identifies novel biomarkers with discriminatory potential in the early stages of BC. Statement of significance This study presents a quantitative analysis of sulfated N-glycans in BC, aiming to identify novel glyco-biomarkers that demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy for early stage BC. Analyzing sulfated glycans without removing sialic acids offers comprehensive insights. These findings advance the understanding of BC, potentially enhance early detection, and improve patient outcomes.