Disialoganglioside GD2 and GD3 (GD2/GD3)

GD2 and GD3 are disialogangliosides, which are acidic glycosphingolipids containing two sialic acid residues (Source: PMID: 24513309). They are primarily located on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and play crucial roles in cell-cell recognition, adhesion, and signal transduction (Source: PMID: 22431861). While their expression in normal adult tissues is highly restricted—limited mainly to the central nervous system, peripheral nerves, and melanocytes—they are overexpressed in various tumors of neuroectodermal origin, such as neuroblastoma, melanoma, and osteosarcoma (Source: PMID: 25761285). This differential expression makes them ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies. Therapeutic agents like dinutuximab and naxitamab bind to GD2, triggering immune-mediated destruction of tumor cells through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) (Source: FDA, Unituxin Label). However, because GD2 is also present on peripheral nerve fibers, treatment often results in significant side effects, most notably intense neuropathic pain (Source: PMID: 33353844).

Other names

GD2 gangliosideGD3 gangliosideDisialoganglioside GD2Disialoganglioside GD3GD2 antigenGD3 antigenGanglioside G2Ganglioside G3

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and direct induction of apoptosis (Source: PMID: 22431861).