Methods and compositions are disclosed that are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The beneficial effects of the compositions and methods are achieved through the use of pharmaceutical compositions that include agents that bind spingolipids or sphingolipid metabolites. In one embodiment the agent is an antibody or antibody derivative. In some embodiments, the agent is a receptor of a sphingolipid or a sphingolipid metabolite. Also disclosed are methods for identifying and isolating therapeutic agents.