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The Potential of Tetrandrine against Gliomas
1Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memoria Hospital, Pan-Chiao, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Patients with malignant gliomas have poor prognoses, and the majority of the patients have local tumor recurrence after various treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Thus it is mandatory to develop better therapies for treatment of these malignant brain tumors. Tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, has antitumor effects against some cancers. Tetrandrine affects the cell cycle, production of reactive oxygen species, mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, and reverses multidrug resistance in various cancer cells. Since tetrandrine is a highly lipid-soluble and hydrophobic molecule with a low molecular weight, it may cross the blood brain barrier; thus, it could be used for the treatment of gliomas. Tetrandrine inhibits the large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels and the expression of BK channel has a positive correlation with tumor malignancy grade in human gliomas. Furthermore, tetrandrine also exerts cytotoxic effects, and induces apoptosis and radiosensitization in glioma cells by elimination of radiation-induced cell cycle perturbation. It also has anti-angiogenesis effects in gliomas, and exerts an antitumor effect on subcutaneous and intracerebral gliomas. Tetrandrine is a radiosensitizer and also a multidrug resistance reversing agent. Tetrandrine can probably be combined with radiotherapy or other chemotherapeutic agents to treat gliomas. Nonetheless, it is important to determine the balance between the safety and efficacy of tetrandrine in patients with malignant gliomas before any clinical application.
Insights
Tetrandrine shows promise for treating malignant gliomas by inhibiting tumor growth, reversing drug resistance, and enhancing radiosensitivity. Further research is needed to confirm its safety and efficacy in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Malignant gliomas have poor prognoses with high rates of recurrence after standard treatments.
- There is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for glioma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, as a therapeutic agent for malignant gliomas.
- To evaluate tetrandrine's effects on glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, drug resistance, and radiosensitivity.
Main Methods:
- In vitro and in vivo studies on glioma cells and models.
- Assessment of tetrandrine's impact on cell cycle, reactive oxygen species, mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, and multidrug resistance.
- Evaluation of tetrandrine's effects on large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels and its anti-angiogenic properties.
Main Results:
- Tetrandrine exhibits antitumor effects, induces apoptosis, and enhances radiosensitivity in glioma cells.
- It reverses multidrug resistance and possesses anti-angiogenic properties relevant to gliomas.
- Tetrandrine's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it a potential candidate for brain tumor treatment.
Conclusions:
- Tetrandrine demonstrates significant potential as a therapeutic agent for malignant gliomas due to its multifaceted antitumor activities.
- Combination therapy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy may improve treatment efficacy.
- Clinical evaluation is necessary to establish the safety and efficacy profile of tetrandrine in glioma patients.
