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Meloxicam can Potentiate the Therapeutic Effects of Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy on High-Grade Glioma
Audrey Bouchet1,2, Céline Le Clec'h2, Léonid Rogalev2
1INSERM U1296 "Radiation: Defense, Health Environment", Centre Léon-Bérard, 28 Rue Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France.
Abstract:
The microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), a spatially micro-fractionated synchrotron radiotherapy, leads to better control of incurable high-grade glioma than that obtained upon homogeneous radiotherapy. We evaluated the effect of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), to increase the MRT response. Survival of rats bearing intracranial 9L gliosarcoma treated with meloxicam and/or MRT (400 Gy, 50 µm-wide microbeams, 200 µm spacing) was monitored. Tumor growth was assessed on histological tissue sections and COX-2 transcriptomic expression was studied 1 to 25 days after radiotherapy. Meloxicam significantly extended the median survival of microbeam-irradiated rats (from +10.5 to +20 days). Dual treatment led to last survivors until D90 (D39 for the MRT group) and to tumor 9.5 times smaller than MRT alone. No significant modification of COX-2 expression was induced by MRT in normal and tumor tissues. The meloxicam reinforced the anti-tumor effect of MRT for glioma treatment. Although the mechanisms of interaction between meloxicam and MRT remain to be elucidated, the addition of this NSAID, easily implemented as a supplement to water for example, is a very favorable therapeutic regimen since it doubled the survival benefit compared to MRT alone.
Insights
Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, significantly enhanced the anti-tumor effects of microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) in glioma-bearing rats. This combination therapy doubled survival benefits and reduced tumor size compared to MRT alone.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiotherapy
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) offers improved control for high-grade glioma compared to conventional radiotherapy.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like meloxicam are being investigated for their potential to enhance anti-cancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of meloxicam in combination with MRT for treating intracranial 9L gliosarcoma in rats.
- To assess the impact of meloxicam on survival rates and tumor growth following MRT.
Main Methods:
- Rats with intracranial 9L gliosarcoma were treated with meloxicam and/or MRT (400 Gy, 50 µm microbeams, 200 µm spacing).
- Survival, tumor growth via histological analysis, and COX-2 transcriptomic expression were monitored post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Meloxicam significantly extended median survival in MRT-treated rats (+10.5 to +20 days).
- Dual meloxicam and MRT treatment resulted in the longest survival (until D90) and a 9.5-fold reduction in tumor size compared to MRT alone.
- MRT did not significantly alter COX-2 expression in normal or tumor tissues.
Conclusions:
- Meloxicam enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of MRT for glioma treatment.
- The combination of meloxicam and MRT presents a promising therapeutic strategy, doubling the survival benefit observed with MRT alone.
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