In 2026, MIT and Stanford researchers introduced AbLecs—antibody-lectin chimeras that remove the sugar coating (glycans, including sialic acids) cancer cells use to hide from the immune system. By blocking these glycans from binding to Siglec receptors, AbLecs disable glyco-immune checkpoints, exposing tumor-associated antigens and enabling immune cells like macrophages to recognize and destroy tumors. Preclinical […]