Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors
Published on: March 1, 2020
[Gangliosides and cancer]
1INSERM U 218, centre Léon-Bérard, Lyon, France.
Abstract:
Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids which contain neuraminic acid. Although they are present in the plasma membranes of all cells, gangliosides are expressed differently, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in certain types of cancer. Modifications in ganglioside composition may account for some of the abnormal interactions between these tumor cells and their environment. Furthermore, some of the gangliosides are shed by tumor cells and may modify host immunity, thus contributing to the development of tumors. In cases of melanoma and neuroblastoma, the modifications in ganglioside expression are such that gangliosides may be used both as tumor markers and as targets for immunotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Proteoglycans
Selectins
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...

