alpha-gal glycosphingolipids

Alpha-gal glycosphingolipids (GSL alpha-Gal) is an experimental cancer immunotherapy developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The therapy consists of glycolipids extracted from rabbit red blood cell membranes that contain alpha-gal epitopes (Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R). When injected directly into a tumor, these glycolipids spontaneously insert into the tumor cell membranes. This process exploits the naturally occurring anti-Gal antibodies found in all humans; the antibodies bind to the newly presented alpha-gal epitopes on the tumor cells, triggering complement activation and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This localized destruction recruits antigen-presenting cells and promotes the development of a systemic, tumor-specific T-cell response, effectively turning the treated tumor into an endogenous vaccine to combat metastatic disease.

Other names

alpha-gal (beta-galactosidase) glycosphingolipidsalpha-gal epitopesGSL alpha-GAL