Targeting glycosphingolipids for cancer immunotherapy.
FEBS Lett
; 594(22): 3602-3618, 2020 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32860713
ABSTRACT
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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Glycosphingolipids
/
Neuroectodermal Tumors
/
Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial
/
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
FEBS Lett
Year:
2020
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Taiwan