Quercetin and sorafenib as a novel and effective couple in programmed cell death induction in human gliomas

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Glioblastoma multiforme (T98G) and anaplastic astrocytoma (MOGGCCM) are aggressive brain tumors.
• Understanding cell death pathways like apoptosis and autophagy is crucial for developing new cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of sorafenib and quercetin on apoptosis and autophagy in MOGGCCM and T98G cell lines.
• To explore the combined effects of these drugs and the role of heat shock proteins.

Main Methods:

• Treatment of MOGGCCM and T98G cells with sorafenib and quercetin.
• Analysis of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway markers (caspase 9, 3) and cytochrome c release.
• Assessment of autophagy through beclin 1 and LC3II expression.
• Utilizing small interfering RNA to inhibit heat shock proteins.

Main Results:

• Sorafenib induced apoptosis in MOGGCCM cells and autophagy in T98G cells.
• Quercetin potentiated sorafenib's pro-apoptotic effects and increased autophagy when administered sequentially.
• Simultaneous drug application favored apoptosis over autophagy.
• Inhibition of heat shock proteins significantly enhanced apoptosis induction in both cell lines.

Conclusions:

• Sorafenib and quercetin are potent inducers of programmed cell death in MOGGCCM and T98G cells.
• Combined treatment, especially with heat shock protein inhibition, shows significant potential for glioblastoma therapy.