Decreased expression of alpha2,8 sialyltransferase and increased expression of beta1,4 N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase in gastrointestinal cancers.

Gangliosides such as GD3, GM2, and GD2 are abundantly expressed on the cell surfaces of various malignant cells, suggesting the potential for anti-ganglioside antibody therapy for tumors. Anti-ganglioside GD2 antibody treatment is currently undergoing clinical trials for melanoma and neuroblastoma. We previously reported high in vivo antitumor effects of anti-GM2 ganglioside antibody against lung cancer.