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17-AAG sensitized malignant glioma cells to death-receptor mediated apoptosis

Markus David Siegelin1, Antje Habel, Timo Gaiser

  • 1Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 220, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. markus.siegelin@med.uni-heidelberg.de

Neurobiology of Disease
|November 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This study shows that combining 17-AAG with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) effectively induces apoptosis in resistant glioma cells by down-regulating survivin. This combination therapy presents a promising strategy for treating malignant gliomas.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options.
  • Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors, like 17-AAG, show therapeutic potential in cancer.
  • Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a pro-apoptotic cytokine with potential anti-cancer activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of combining 17-AAG and TRAIL in glioblastoma treatment.
  • To elucidate the role of survivin in the combined treatment's mechanism of action.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of three glioblastoma cell lines (U87, LN229, U251) with 17-AAG, TRAIL, or both.
  • Analysis of apoptosis induction and survivin levels.
  • Assessment of survivin's role via overexpression studies.

Main Results:

  • Subtoxic doses of 17-AAG combined with TRAIL induced rapid apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant glioma cells.
  • 17-AAG treatment led to survivin down-regulation via proteasomal degradation.
  • Overexpression of survivin attenuated the cytotoxic effects of the combined 17-AAG and TRAIL treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The combination of 17-AAG and TRAIL is a potent strategy for inducing apoptosis in malignant glioma cells.
  • Survivin is a critical regulator of cell death induced by the combined 17-AAG and TRAIL therapy.
  • This combined approach offers a promising therapeutic avenue for gliomas.

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