The ceramide analog, B13, induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines and inhibits tumor growth in prostate cancer xenografts.

Background: Apoptosis is a therapeutic target for the elimination of cancer cells. As elevations in ceramide levels induce apoptosis, there is much excitement about the use of agents that elevate ceramide levels as novel chemotherapeutic agents. Ceramidases are enzymes involved in degradation of ceramide and inhibition of ceramidase has been proposed as a mechanism to increase ceramide levels.