Depending on the cell system and availability of TNF-α, tumor derived gangliosides either synergize with TNF-α to induce T cell death, or, in absence of TNF-α, GBM gangliosides act independently and interact with TNFRI, thereby leading to downstream recruitment of the DISC and activating caspases, eventually leading to T cell apoptosis. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and neoplasm.