Immunogenic compositions,
cancer vaccines and methods for treating
cancer are provided. Compositions comprising: (a) a
glycan such as Globo H or an immunogenic fragment thereof, wherein the
glycan is conjugated with a
carrier protein by a
linker such as para-nitrophenyl; and (b) an
adjuvant comprising
glycolipid capable of binding CDId on a
dendritic cell, such as an a-galactosyl-
ceramide derivative, wherein the immunogenic composition induces an immune response that induces a higher relative level of IgG
isotype antibodies as compared to IgM
isotype antibodies, are provided. Immunogenic compositions comprising the
carrier protein diphtheria toxin cross-reacting material 197 (DT-CRM 197) and the
adjuvant C34 are provided. Antibodies generated by immunogenic compositions disclosed herein further neutralize at least one of the antigens Globo H, stage-specific
embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3) and stage-specific
embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4). Therapeutics against
breast cancer stem cells comprising immunogenic compositions comprising Globo H, SSEA-3 or SSEA-4 conjugated with DT-CRM 197.