Ganglioside shedding and changes in ceramide biosynthesis in human ovarian tumors.

The contents and composition of ceramides and gangliosides were measured in human ovarian tumors (benign and malignant) and sera of tumor patients. In tumors (especially malignant) the content of ceramides is decreased compared to that in normal tissue, and the malignant tumor ceramides contain significant amounts of sphinganine which is absent in the ceramides of normal tissue, suggesting an alteration in ceramide biosynthesis. The content of gangliosides in tumors is also decreased.