Targeting glycosphingolipids for cancer immunotherapy.

FEBS Lett

Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Published: November 2020

Aberrant expression of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) is a unique feature of cancer and stromal cells in tumor microenvironments. Although the impact of GSLs on tumor progression remains largely unclear, anticancer immunotherapies directed against GSLs are attracting growing attention. Here, we focus on GD2, a disialoganglioside expressed in tumors of neuroectodermal origin, and Globo H ceramide (GHCer), the most prevalent cancer-associated GSL overexpressed in a variety of epithelial cancers. We first summarize recent advances on our understanding of GD2 and GHCer biology and then discuss the clinical development of the first immunotherapeutic agent targeting a glycolipid, the GD2-specific antibody dinutuximab, its approved indications, and new strategies to improve its efficacy for neuroblastoma. Next, we review ongoing clinical trials on Globo H-targeted immunotherapeutics. We end with highlighting how these studies provide sound scientific rationales for targeting GSLs in cancer and may facilitate a rational design of new GSL-targeted anticancer therapeutics.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.13917DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

targeting glycosphingolipids
4
glycosphingolipids cancer
4
cancer immunotherapy
4
immunotherapy aberrant
4
aberrant expression
4
expression glycosphingolipids
4
gsls
4
glycosphingolipids gsls
4
gsls unique
4
unique feature
4

Similar Publications

Mechanisms by which Ganglioside GM1, a specific type of glycosphingolipid, ameliorates BMAA-induced neurotoxicity in early-life stage of zebrafish embryos.

Food Res Int

January 2025

State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China; Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266235, China.

The neurotoxin β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) produced by cyanobacteria is widely present in foods and dietary supplements, posing a significant threat to human health. Ganglioside GM1 (GM1) has demonstrated potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases; however, its ability to prevent BMAA-induced neurotoxicity remains uncertain. In this study, zebrafish embryos were treated with Ganglioside GM1 to investigate its neuroprotective effects against BMAA exposure and the underlying mechanisms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Clinical management of female patients with Fabry disease based on expert consensus.

Orphanet J Rare Dis

January 2025

Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that causes accumulation of glycosphingolipids in body tissues and fluids, leading to progressive organ damage and life-threatening complications. It can affect both males and females and can be classified into classic or later-onset phenotypes. The disease severity in females ranges from asymptomatic to the more severe, classic phenotype.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The human voltage-gated proton channel (H1) provides an efficient proton extrusion pathway from the cytoplasm contributing to the intracellular pH regulation and the oxidative burst. Although its pharmacological inhibition was previously shown to induce cell death in various cell types, no such effects have been examined in polarized macrophages albeit H1 was suggested to play important roles in these cells. This study highlights that 5-chloro-2-guanidinobenzimidazole (ClGBI), the most widely applied H1 inhibitor, reduces the viability of human THP-1-derived polarized macrophages at biologically relevant doses with M1 macrophages being the most, and M2 cells the least sensitive to this compound.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sarcomas are rare, mesenchymal tumors, representing about 10-15% of all childhood cancers. GD2 is a suitable target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy due to its overexpression in several solid tumors. In this preclinical study, we investigated the potential use of iCasp9.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We developed a novel adeno-associated virus 5 gene therapy (AAV5-GLA) expressing human alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) under the control of a novel, small and strong, liver-restricted promoter. We assessed the preclinical potential of AAV5-GLA for treating Fabry disease, an X-linked hereditary metabolic disorder resulting from mutations in the gene encoding GLA that lead to accumulation of the substrates globotriaosylceramide and globotriaosylsphingosine, causing heart, kidney, and central nervous system dysfunction. Effects of intravenously administered AAV5-GLA were evaluated in (1) GLA-knockout mice aged 7-8 weeks (early in disease) and 20 weeks (nociception phenotype manifestation) and (2) cynomolgus macaques during an 8-week period.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!