CBLN1 and cancer: The literature data have shown that sphingolipids trigger apoptotic or proliferative signals in cancer cells through several possible mechanisms, including activation of RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pro-survival pathways (S1P, through G-protein-coupled S1PR receptors), stimulation of TNFα signaling (aSMase-mediated Cer release), or induction of mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome-C release (SPH and/or Cer through direct effects) [12,33].