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The integrin inhibitor cilengitide affects meningioma cell motility and invasion

Annette Wilisch-Neumann1, Nadine Kliese, Doreen Pachow

  • 1Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Neuropathology, Neurosurgery and Radiotherapy, Otto vonGuericke University; Neurosurgery, City Hospital; Special Lab for Non-Invasive Brain Imaging, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg; Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Hospital, Zwickau; and Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|August 17, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The integrin inhibitor cilengitide showed strong antimigratory effects on meningioma cells, reducing brain invasion. Combination therapy with radiotherapy warrants further investigation for treating these aggressive brain tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Integrin biology
  • Cancer therapy

Background:

  • Meningiomas are common intracranial and spinal tumors with high recurrence rates and aggressive potential.
  • Integrins play a role in tumor cell migration and invasion.
  • Cilengitide is an integrin inhibitor with potential anti-cancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of the integrin inhibitor cilengitide on meningioma cell migration, proliferation, and radiosensitization.
  • To evaluate cilengitide's efficacy in preclinical models of meningioma.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of integrin expression (αvβ5 and αvβ3) in human meningioma tissue microarrays.
  • Assessment of cilengitide's effects on meningioma cell lines in vitro (proliferation, migration, invasion).
  • Evaluation of cilengitide in subcutaneous and intracranial nude mouse models, including combination with irradiation.

Main Results:

  • αvβ5 integrin was predominantly expressed in meningiomas.
  • Cilengitide (1 μg/mL) significantly inhibited meningioma cell migration and invasion in vitro.
  • Monotherapy with cilengitide did not significantly affect tumor volume or survival in mouse models but reduced brain invasion.
  • Combination therapy of cilengitide and irradiation resulted in a significant reduction in intracranial tumor volumes (67%) compared to irradiation alone (55%).

Conclusions:

  • Cilengitide monotherapy is unlikely to yield major responses in aggressive meningiomas.
  • The strong antimigratory properties of cilengitide may reduce brain invasion.
  • Combining cilengitide with radiotherapy shows promise and warrants further investigation for meningioma treatment.

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