GLYCOSPHINGOLIPID ANTIGENS AND CANCER-THERAPY

Specific types of glycosphingolipid (GSL), which are chemically detect able in normal cells, are more highly expressed in tumors, The high le vel of expression on the surfaces of tumor cells causes an antibody re sponse to these GSLs, which can therefore be described as tumor-associ ated antigens. Some of these GSLs have been shown to be adhesion molec ules involved in tumor cell metastasis, and to be modulators of signal transduction controlling tumor cell growth and motility. Tumor-associ ated GSL antigens have been used in the development of antitumor vacci nes. GSLs and sphingolipids involved in adhesion and signaling are the refore targets for cancer therapy.