Ganglioside GD2 as a therapeutic target for antibody-mediated therapy in patients with osteosarcoma

Michael Roth, Marissa Linkowski, John Tarim, Sajida Piperdi, Rebecca Sowers, David Geller, Jonathan Gill, Richard Gorlick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND Survival outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma have remained stagnant over the past 30 years. Targeting of ganglioside GD2, a glycosphingolipid on the cell surface of some tumors, with immunotherapy has resulted in improved outcomes for patients with neuroblastoma. In the current study, the expression pattern of GD2 was examined in osteosarcoma. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed on osteosarcoma samples from patients at the time of initial biopsy, definitive surgery, and disease recurrence. The intensity and location of staining were scored. Cell-based enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay was performed on osteosarcoma cell lines to quantitate the level of GD2 expression. RESULTS Forty-four osteosarcoma samples were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, including 8 samples from the initial biopsy, 28 samples from the definitive surgery, and 8 samples from the time of disease recurrence. GD2 was expressed on all 44 osteosarcoma samples. Osteosarcoma tissue obtained at the time of disease recurrence demonstrated a higher intensity of staining compared with samples obtained at initial biopsy and definitive surgery (P =.016). The majority of osteosarcoma cell lines expressed GD2 at higher levels than the neuroblastoma cell line BE(2)-C. CONCLUSIONS Ganglioside GD2 is highly expressed on osteosarcomas. Clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy of targeting GD2 in patients with osteosarcoma. Cancer 2014;120:548-554.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)548-554
Number of pages7
JournalCancer
Volume120
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2014

Keywords

  • antibody
  • ganglioside GD2
  • immunotherapy
  • osteosarcoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ganglioside GD2 as a therapeutic target for antibody-mediated therapy in patients with osteosarcoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this