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Life sciences · Journal article
Biochemical Journal · October 15, 2026
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Abstract The classical paradigm of the sphingolipid rheostat—balancing pro-apoptotic ceramide against pro-survival sphingosine-1-phosphate—has evolved into a complex signaling landscape where N-acyl chain length serves as the fundamental determinant of biological outcomes. This perspective explores the pivotal role of ceramide synthase 2 (CerS2) in synthesizing very-long-chain (VLC) ceramides (C22–C26) and its function as a central regulator of cellular stress responses. While CerS2 typically acts as a tumor suppressor, its activity is frequently attenuated in aggressive malignancies through alternative splicing or protein inhibition. The emergence of DH20931, a first-in-class small-molecule CerS2 agonist, is discussed as a paradigm-shifting tool for re-engaging suppressed apoptotic pathways. The present paper outlines a sequential-mechanism model for pharmacological CerS2 activation, which drives lipotoxic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via the PERK-ATF4-CHOP axis and tightens the ER-mitochondria synapse through direct IP3R1 interaction. The latter mechanism facilitates lethal calcium influx, triggering the mitochondrial caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, the preclinical performance of DH20931 is evaluated in models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) relative to standard-of-care therapeutics. The conclusion examines the future of CerS2 as a major druggable target, emphasizing the need for companion diagnostics to identify patients most likely to benefit from agonist therapy based on specific splice variants and metabolic profiles. Combining CerS2 activation with existing chemo- or immunotherapies represents a promising synergistic strategy for treating resistant solid tumors.