Effect of plasma gangliosides on the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor.

Total plasma gangliosides of Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice enhanced tumor growth when adoptively transferred with the same tumor cells in mice. However, individual gangliosides acted differently. Out of 6 gangliosides separated from plasma, 2 components enhanced tumor growth, whereas the remaining 4 inhibited tumor growth. Neither of the 2 enhancing components in various combinations with the 4 inhibitory components could restore the enhancing effect. The enhancing effect was restored only when both the enhancing components were mixed with the remaining 4 ganglioside components, i.e., with full/complete reconstitution.