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Helianthin induces antiproliferative effect on human glioblastoma cells in vitro

  • Laboratory Investigation - Human/Animal Tissue
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Abstract

A major focus of brain cancer research today is to translate understanding of glioma biology into advances in treatment, by exploring the potential of target therapy. Here we investigated the ability of three compounds belonging to the chemical class of azo dyes (methyl red, methyl yellow, and helianthin) to inhibit glioblastoma (GB) cell growth in vitro. Our results showed that helianthin induced cytotoxicity in two GB cell cultures, cell lines 18 and 38, whereas methyl red and methyl yellow were not cytotoxic. The effect of helianthin on EGFR, IGF-1R, and their common intracellular signaling via PI3-K and ERK1/2 was also analyzed. Treatment with helianthin down-regulated EGFR and IGF-1R activity in both cell lines. Helianthin treatment blocked ERK1/2 phosphorylation without affecting PI3K activity in cell line 18 and reduced both PI3K and ERK1/2 in GB 38 cell line. The cell death was accompanied by degradation of PARP without affecting BCL2 expression in both GB cell cultures. Because of the genetic heterogeneity of malignant gliomas, we tested the effect of helianthin on other two primary GB lines (11 and 15) and two early-passage GB cultures (BT1GB and BT2GB), to assess the general nature of the anti-tumor effect of the drug in GB cells. We found that helianthin treatment induced cell death in all the GB cell cultures analyzed. To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating that helianthin can reduce GB cell growth.

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Acknowledgments

The Fifth Framework Programme Grant (contract number QLGA-CT-2000-60005); CNMP 41-063 Bucharest, Medico Science SRL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Petru Rares Street, No 2, 200349, Craiova, Romania

    Oana Alexandru, Laura Dragutescu, Ani Sevastre, Oana Purcaru, Suzana Danoiu & Anica Dricu

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Bagdasar-Arseni Hospital, Berceni Road, No 12, 4th Sector, 041915, Bucharest, Romania

    Ligia Tataranu & Vasile Ciubotaru

  3. SC Medico Science SRL, Bucharest, Romania

    Ada Maria Georgescu

  4. Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska and Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Institute/University Hospital, R8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    L. Magnus Bäcklund

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  1. Oana Alexandru
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  2. Laura Dragutescu
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Alexandru, O., Dragutescu, L., Tataranu, L. et al. Helianthin induces antiproliferative effect on human glioblastoma cells in vitro. J Neurooncol 102, 9–18 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-010-0285-7

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