Lectin as an Anticancer Therapeutic Agent

Abstract

Every year nearly 9.6 million people die from cancer worldwide. One third of cancer deaths are due to behavioural and dietary risks and lack of physical activity. Lectins are powerful oral and parental immunogens and some of their physiological effects are intricately linked to interference with immune function. Lectins are produced by wide range of living organisms from microbes to mammals. They function as both allergens and heamagglutinins. Various lectins have been identified which are associated with different types of cancers. Because of this property, they are currently employed as therapeutic agents in cancer treatment.