Does GD2 synthase (GD2S) detect cancer stem cells in blood samples of breast carcinomas?

Introduction: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a theorized subset of cells within the tumor that is thought to drive disease recurrence and metastatic spread. The aim of this study is to investigate mRNA and protein levels of ganglioside GD2 synthase (GD2S), in breast cancer (BC) patients.

Methods: 65 PBMCs of preoperative BC patients without chemotherapy were compared to PBMCs after chemotherapy and controls.

Results: GD2S were significantly higher in BC patients after chemotherapy compared to pre-chemotherapy at both mRNA and protein. GD2S was higher in pre-chemotherapy blood samples compared to control samples.

Conclusions: Higher expression of GD2S in BC samples compared to healthy control indicates the potential utility of GD2S as a marker of malignancy.