Ganglioside as a Therapy Target in Various Types of Cancer

اشتراک گذاری:

• Ganglioside as a Therapy Target in Various Types of Cancer

Since their discovery in 1940, it has been well established that gangliosides are associated with a number of
biological pathways and cellular processes such as growth, differentiation and toxin uptake. Gangliosides are
glycosphingolipids containing neuraminic acid which are expressed on the plasma membrane of cells particularly
in the nervous system. Heterogeneity and structural variation in the carbohydrate chains of gangliosides
contributes to unique features of each of these molecules. Thirty five years ago it was discovered that aberrant
glycosylation occurs in a variety of human cancers, including aberrant glycosylation of gangliosides. Ganglioside
expression in terms of quality and quantity varies in different cancers and different roles may be played.
Gangliosides, by affecting the immune system, including esxpression of cytokines and adhesion molecules, may
inhibit anti-tumor mechanisms, as well as having direct impact on angiogenesis, cell movement and metastasis.
It should be noted that different kinds of gangliosides do not all act by the same mechanisms