ganglioside GD2

Gangliosides are a group of galactose-containing cerebrosides found in the surface membranes of nerve cells. Ganglioside GD2 is a disialoganglioside expressed on tumors of neuroectodermal origin, including human neuroblastoma and melanoma, with highly restricted expression on normal tissues, principally to the cerebellum and peripheral nerves in humans. GD2 is a suitable target for immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies or with artificial T cell receptors due to its relatively tumor specific expression.

GD2 is a disialic ganglioside expressed in tumors of neuroectodermal origin (including human neuroblastoma and melanoma), and its expression in normal tissues (mainly human cerebellum and peripheral nerves) is highly restricted.
The relative tumor-specific expression of GD2 makes it a suitable target for immunotherapy using monoclonal antibodies or artificial T cell receptors. An example of such an antibody is hu14.18K322A, a monoclonal antibody. The anti-GD2 antibody is currently in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of previously untreated high-risk neuroblastoma and combined chemotherapy prior to stem cell transplantation and radiation therapy. A previous phase I clinical trial designed to reduce toxicity in patients with refractory or recurrent neuroblastoma found a safe dose and determined that common toxicity, especially pain, can be well controlled.