beta-mannosylceramide

Beta-mannosylceramide (β-ManCer) is a synthetic glycolipid and a novel agonist of Type I natural killer T (NKT) cells. Unlike the prototypical NKT agonist alpha-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), which induces tumor protection through IFN-γ-dependent mechanisms, β-ManCer promotes anti-tumor immunity via a distinct pathway involving tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), independent of IFN-γ. In preclinical models of colon carcinoma and melanoma, β-ManCer has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing lung metastases, both as a monotherapy and in synergistic combination with α-GalCer. It was developed through collaborative research involving the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and several academic institutions.

Other names

beta-D-mannosylceramidebeta-mannosyl ceramideβ-mannosylceramideβ-ManCer