The expression of
N-glycolylneuraminic acid forming the structure of
gangliosides and/or other
glycoconjugates (
Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen) in human has been considered as a
tumor-associated
antigen. Specifically, some reports of 14F7 Mab (a highly specific Mab raised against N-glycolyl
GM3 ganglioside) reactivity in human
tumors have been recently published. Nevertheless,
tumors of epithelial origin have been mostly evaluated. The goal of the present paper was to evaluate the immunohistochemical recognition of 14F7 Mab in different human
tumors of neuroectodermal, mesodermal, and epithelial origins using an immunoperoxidase staining method. Samples of fetal, normal, and reactive
astrocytosis of the brain were also included in the study. In general, nontumoral tissues, as well as, low-grade
brain tumors showed no or a limited immunoreaction with 14F7 Mab. Nevertheless, high-grade
astrocytomas (III-IV) and
neuroblastomas, as well as,
sarcomas and
thyroid carcinomas were mostly reactive with 14F7. No reaction was evidenced in
medulloblastomas and
ependymoblastomas. Our data suggest that the expression of N-glycolyl
GM3 ganglioside could be related to the aggressive behavior of malignant cells, without depending on the
tumor origin. Our data could also support the possible use of N-glycolyl GM3 as a target for both active and passive
immunotherapies of
malignancies expressing this molecule.