Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Analysis of Retinoic Acid-induced Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Two and Three-dimensional Embryoid Bodies
09:04

Analysis of Retinoic Acid-induced Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Two and Three-dimensional Embryoid Bodies

Published on: April 22, 2017

Retinoic acid enhances sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells for imatinib mesylate

Ingo Neumann1, Jürgen L Foell, Marianne Bremer

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|July 27, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Retinoids increase CD117 (KIT) expression in neuroblastoma (NB) cells, enhancing their sensitivity to kinase inhibitors like imatinib mesylate. This suggests a potential new combination therapy for relapsed NB patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Retinoids are used to treat neuroblastoma (NB), but relapses necessitate new therapeutic strategies.
  • Understanding retinoid effects on NB cells is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular effects of retinoid treatment on neuroblastoma cells.
  • To explore potential combination therapies for neuroblastoma.

Main Methods:

  • Neuroblastoma cells were treated with retinoids and analyzed using microarrays, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry.
  • CD117 mRNA sequences were determined, and NB cell sensitivity to imatinib mesylate was tested.

Main Results:

  • Retinoid treatment induced genes, including CYP26A1 and CYP26B1, and upregulated CD117 (KIT) expression.
  • Upregulation of CD117 correlated with increased sensitivity to the kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate.
  • A polymorphism in CD117 mRNA was identified in SH-SY5Y NB cells.

Conclusions:

  • Combining retinoids with kinase inhibitors may offer a promising therapeutic approach for neuroblastoma.
  • Further research is warranted to explore this combination therapy in clinical settings.

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