Neuroectodermic tumors can mostly be characterized by the presence of tumor-associated
glycosphingolipid antigens, such as gangliosides, defined by monoclonal antibodies.
Recently, cumulative evidence indicates that gangliosides modify the biological effects of
several trophic factors, in vitro and in vivo, as well as the mitogenic signaling cascade that
these factors generate. The functional roles of gangliosides in tumor progression can be
revisited:(i) ganglioside antigens on the cell surface, or shed from the cells, act as …