Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the inhibition of cancer metastases mediated by endothelial adhesion molecules. The present invention discloses that sialyl Lea and di-sialyl Lea, which are expressed at the surface of cancer cells, function as a binding partner for LEC-CAMs, such as ELAM-1, which are expressed at the surface of endothelial cells. The present invention also discloses that LEC-CAMs, such as ELAM-1, involved in cancer metastasis share a carbohydrate domain common to both sialyl Lea and sialyl Lex. Antibodies, saccharides, glycoconjugates, enzyme inhibitors and other compounds may be used in the methods of the present invention to inhibit the binding of malignant cells to endothelial cells for a variety of purposes in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the inhibition of cancer metastases mediated by endothelial adhesion molecules. The present invention discloses that sialyl Le.sup.a and di-sialyl Le.sup.a, which are expressed at the surface of cancer cells, function as a binding partner for LEC-CAMs, such as ELAM-1, which are expressed at the surface of endothelial cells. The present invention also discloses that LEC-CAMs, such as ELAM-1, involved in cancer metastasis share a carbohydrate domain common to both sialyl Le.sup.a and sialyl Le.sup.x. Antibodies, saccharides, glycoconjugates, enzyme inhibitors and other compounds may be used in the methods of the present invention to inhibit the binding of malignant cells to endothelial cells for a variety of purposes in vivo and in vitro.