The opposite effects of doxorubicin on bone marrow stem cells versus breast cancer stem cells depend on glucosylceramide synthase.

Doxorubicin (Dox) significantly reduces bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) while increasing breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in tumor-bearing mice; those effects are correlated with the levels of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), that enzyme regulates ceramide glycosylation and the synthesis of glycosphingolipids (GSLs).