High glucose thickens cancer cells' sugar shield, aiding immune evasion

Researchers have found that elevated glucose levels increase the thickness of the sugar‑derived glycocalyx surrounding cancer cells, creating an "invisibility cloak" that helps tumors avoid detection by the immune system. The study, published in Science Advances, identified the HSF1 protein as a key driver of this protective layer under hyperglycemic conditions. Lead author Kevin Tharp, PhD, noted that disrupting the glycocalyx could make tumors more vulnerable to immune attack and improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies. The findings point to a new therapeutic target for future drug development aimed at stripping away the sugar shield that shields cancer cells from immune surveillance.