Fucosyl-GM1 — A ganglioside associated with small cell lung carcinomas

Characterization of monosialogangliosides of a small cell lung carcinoma showed a unique composition. The tumour contained GM2 and Fucosyl-GM1 (Fuc-GM1) with 2-hydroxy fatty acids as major ganglioside components. Three out of four other small cell carcinomas analysed contained also Fuc-GM1 as a characteristic ganglioside. Fuc-GM1 is suggested to be a small-cell lung carcinoma associated ganglioside antigen.