g(m1)-ganglioside and Skin-Neoplasms

The aim was to analyze humoral immune response against GM1 ganglioside expressed on the surface of melanocytic cells, and the possible correlation between the level of antibodies against GM1 IgG and IgM class and melanoma progression. The study included 128 adult patients with malignant melanoma, without paraneoplastic neurologic disorders, 48 adults with dysplastic nevi and 48 healthy volunteers. The presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against GM1 was demonstrated by Immunodot method. Automatic evaluation of strips marked with GM1 antigen was performed by EUROLineScan software. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was evaluated by spectrophotometry. Serum concentration of gangliosides was determined using the method with resorcinol-HCl. IgG antibodies against GM1 gangliosides were identified in six patients with melanoma (4.68%) and in none of the subjects from other groups. AntiGM1 IgM class were observed in 20 (15.63%) melanoma patients, three (6.25%) dysplastic nevi patients and one healthy volunteer. No statistically significant difference was observed when serum profile of GM1 IgM antibodies in patients with localized melanoma was compared with that of other study subjects. The levels of IgM antibodies varied with clinical stage of tumor and histopathologic features. Moreover, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between IgM antibodies and LDH (r=0.87; p=0.01; IC=95%). In conclusion, antibodies against GM1 ganglioside are frequent in patients with melanoma. Dysplastic nevi and early melanoma cannot be differentiated using the antiGM1 antibody profile. The synthesis of these antibodies is characteristic for advanced stages of melanoma.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Immunity, Humoral; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms

The biological significance of isolated tumor cells and micrometastasis in lymph node defined by the International Union against Cancer remains essentially unknown because of the lack of appropriate animal models. In the present study, we developed a lymph node micrometastasis model featuring a human gastric cancer cell line tagged with green fluorescent protein gene (GCIY-EGFP), which allows visualization of even isolated tumor cells in the development of metastasis without histologic procedure. Using this model, we investigated the effect of surgery and chemotherapy on the growth of early-phase metastasis formation in the lymph nodes.. The time course of spontaneous inguinal lymph node metastasis after s.c. inoculation of GCIY-EGFP cells into nude mice was examined with fluorescence dissecting microscopy. Then, the effects of surgical removal of the primary tumor with or without anti-asialo GM1 treatment or postoperative chemotherapy on the growth of isolated tumor cells and micrometastasis in the lymph nodes were examined.. GCIY-EGFP cells were found to metastasize spontaneously to the inguinal lymph nodes to form isolated tumor cells, micrometastasis, and, finally, develop macroscopic metastasis at 1 to 2, 3 to 5, and 5 weeks postinjection, respectively. When the primary tumors were removed within 2 weeks of inoculation, isolated tumor cells, but not micrometastasis, in the lymph nodes regressed by 4 weeks after surgery in all the mice examined (five of five). This spontaneous regression of isolated tumor cells was completely reversed by anti-asialo GM1 treatment, which could deplete natural killer cells effectively in nude mice. Chemotherapy following resection of the primary tumor at an early stage partially eliminated the remaining micrometastasis in the lymph nodes.. These results suggest that isolated tumor cells in the regional lymph nodes regressed by removal of the primary tumor mainly via natural killer cell-mediated antitumor activity and that micrometastasis in the lymph nodes could be effectively eliminated by the postoperative chemotherapy.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gastrectomy; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Humans; Killer Cells, Natural; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasm Transplantation; Postoperative Care; Skin Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms; Tumor Cells, Cultured

This study is intended to demonstrate the versatility and feasibility of custom-made oligosaccharide-exposing neoglycoconjugates including histo-blood group epitopes in various human lesions, including nasal polyps. The binding of the biotinylated probes was determined on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections from archive materials. The general aspects of our results may be interpreted as follows: the neoglycoconjugates used here can readily detect differences in the ability of cells to bind glycan residues in tissue sections, thereby enabling the extent of the binding capacity of various types of human lesions to be compared. Furthermore, the reactivity to glycan may reflect characteristics of the cells and their environment. The investigation into pathological disorders with respect to the binding capacity of these carrier-immobilized mono- or oligosaccharide structures derived from custom-made synthesis or biochemical purification is based on the prospect of translating progress in this field into the establishment of potentially beneficial procedures for medical diagnosis and pathological classification.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Binding Sites; Blood Group Antigens; Brain Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Colonic Neoplasms; Feasibility Studies; Female; Fibroadenoma; G(M1) Ganglioside; Glioblastoma; Glycoconjugates; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Melanoma; Nasal Polyps; Neoplasms; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Skin Neoplasms; Trisaccharides; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

We examined the ganglioside content of normal human keratinocytes and basal cell carcinomas (BCC). The total ganglioside content of the epidermis was 0.098 +/- 0.01 microgram lipid-bound sialic acid/mg dry weight. GM3 was the predominant ganglioside of epidermis. GM2 and GD3 were also found in significant amounts. Polysialylated gangliosides were identified in only small amounts. In contrast to all other body locations, breast epidermis showed large amounts of GM1. The total ganglioside content of nodular and sclerosing facial BCC was approximately 3.5 times that of normal facial epidermis. This marked elevation of total ganglioside was not affected by dermal ganglioside contamination, because the total ganglioside content of the dermis was similar to that of the epidermis. The relative percentage of GM2 was significantly decreased, whereas the relative percentage of GM3 was slightly decreased in BCC. 9-O-acetyl-GD3 was present in the BCC, but not in normal epidermis or dermis. 9-O-acetyl-GD3 may be a surface marker for BCC. Furthermore, the alterations in amount and composition of individual gangliosides on neoplastic membranes may lead to novel therapeutic interventions.

Topics: Carcinoma, Basal Cell; G(M1) Ganglioside; G(M3) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Humans; Keratinocytes; Skin Neoplasms

An infant with GM1 gangliosidosis was found to have an eruption at birth consisting of extensive and unusual slate blue macules resembling mongolian spots. All areas of skin were involved except face, scalp, palms, and soles. A biopsy of a macule obtained at 5 months of age demonstrated melanocytic cells in the dermis consistent with monogolian spot but also a perivascular histiocytic infiltrate. At 8 months of age, absence of beta-galactosidase activity was documented in both peripheral leukocytes and skin fibroblasts confirming the diagnosis of GM1 gangliosidosis. The dermal histiocytic cells noted on skin biopsy were interpreted as a manifestation of this storage disease. The coexistence of the hyperpigmented lesions and the heritable enzyme defect was believed to be coincidental.

Topics: beta-Galactosidase; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gangliosidoses; Humans; Infant; Lactose Intolerance; Nevus, Pigmented; Skin; Skin Neoplasms