ReviewInternational journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology2025
Alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase in cancer: diagnostic applications and related treatment strategies.
Review in International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase), a lysosomal enzyme encoded by the NAGA gene, plays a critical role in the degradation of glycoconjugates, modulation of immune responses, and regulation of vitamin D metabolism. Dysregulation of nagalase is associated with several pathological conditions, including Schindler disease, psychiatric disorders, viral infections, and notably, cancer. Elevated serum levels of nagalase, particularly the Naga6 isoform, have been observed in cancer patients and individuals with enveloped viral infections, contributing to immune evasion by impairing macrophage activation through Gc protein deglycosylation. Moreover, nagalase activity has been implicated in rare blood group changes observed in some malignancies. Although ELISA-based assays offer potential for quantifying nagalase, their clinical application is hindered by assay interferences and cross-reactivity. The immunotherapeutic potential of Gc protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF), in combination with vitamin D3 and ascorbate, has shown promise in enhancing anti-tumor immunity, particularly in prostate cancer. Nevertheless, conflicting data and methodological criticisms have led to skepticism regarding its efficacy. This review comprehensively explores the biochemical variants of nagalase, its physiological and pathological roles, its diagnostic utility as a biomarker, and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting its activity, including gene silencing and monoclonal antibody development. The findings underscore the need for rigorous clinical studies to validate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of nagalase in oncology and immunology.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.