Reparative properties of human glioblastoma cells after single exposure to a wide range of X-ray doses

N-Glycoside of Indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole LCS1269 Exerts Anti-Glioblastoma Effects by G2 Cell Cycle Arrest and CDK1 Activity Modulation: Molecular Docking Studies, Biological Investigations, and ADMET Prediction

Background/Objectives: Indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole scaffold is successfully used as an efficient structural motif for the design and development of different antitumor agents. In this study, we investigated the anti-glioblastoma therapeutic potential of glycosylated indolocarbazole analog LCS1269 utilizing in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches. Methods: Cell viability was estimated by an MTT assay. The distribution of cell cycle phases was monitored using flow cytometry. Mitotic figures were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to evaluate the gene expression. The protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. Molecular docking and computational ADMET were approved for the probable protein target simulations and predicted pharmacological assessments, respectively. Results: Our findings clearly suggest that LCS1269 displayed a significant cytotoxic effect against diverse glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived glioblastoma cultures as well as strongly suppressed xenograft growth in nude mice. LCS1269 exhibited more potent anti-proliferative activity toward glioblastoma cell lines and patient-derived glioblastoma cultures compared to conventional drug temozolomide. We further demonstrated that LCS1269 treatment caused the severe G2 phase arrest of cell cycle in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we proposed that LCS1269 could affect the CDK1 activity both by targeting active site of this enzyme and indirectly, in particular through the modulation of the Wee1/Myt1 and FOXM1/Plk1 signaling pathways, and via p21 up-regulation. LCS1269 also showed favorable pharmacological characteristics in in silico ADME prediction in comparison with staurosporine, rebeccamycin, and becatecarin as reference drugs. Conclusions: Further investigations of LCS1269 as an anti-glioblastoma medicinal agent could be very promising.

Varieties of interactions of anti-CD133 aptamers with cell cultures from patient glioblastoma

Development of aptatheranostics for glioblastoma (GB) requires investigating aptamer interactions with cells. The paper has described flow cytometry (FC) assessment of direct interactions of fluorescent anti-CD133 aptamers with cells, focusing on cell cultures derived from patient GB (CCPGB). Conventional cell lines with different levels of CD133 mRNA, Caco-2 and HCT116, were used to compare interactions with known 2'FY-RNA aptamer A15 and DNA aptamers of Ap and Cs series, labeled with FAM and Cy5. In addition, interactions of certain non-aptameric oligonucleotides were studied. In the case of antibody interactions with cells, FC signals, mean fluorescence intensities (MFIs), correlated with sizable amounts of CD133 mRNA in Caco-2 cells, and CCPGBs 107 and G01. Unexpectedly, MFI per se could not be the solid indicator of specific interactions of aptamer - CD133/cell. Instead, two types of interactions, target CD133-driven and off-target membrane-associated ones, contribute to MFI. The latter was notably observed for CCPGB Sus/fP2 with tiny CD133 mRNA amount. To prove specificity of aptamer - CD133/cell interactions, titration experiments have been performed, revealing half-saturation concentrations of 120±27 for 2'FY-RNA A15 and 180±12 for DNA Cs5 with Caco-2 cells. This knowledge is an essential step to develop aptatheranostics for GB.

GQIcombi application to subdue glioma via differentiation therapy

Current therapy protocols fail to cure high-grade gliomas and prevent recurrence. Therefore, novel approaches need to be developed. A re-programing of glioma cell fate is an alternative attractive way to stop tumor growth. The two-step protocol applies the antiproliferative GQ bi-(AID-1-T) and small molecule inducers with BDNF to trigger neural differentiation into terminally differentiated cells, and it is very effective on GB cell cultures. This original approach is a successful example of the "differentiation therapy". To demonstrate a versatility of this approach, in this publication we have extended a palette of cell cultures to gliomas of II, III and IV Grades, and proved an applicability of that version of differential therapy for a variety of tumor cells. We have justified a sequential mode of adding of GQIcombi components to the glioma cells. We have shown a significant retardation of tumor growth after a direct injection of GQIcombi into the tumor in rat brain, model 101/8. Thus, the proposed strategy of influencing on cancer cell growth is applicable to be further translated for therapy use.

Oncolytic viral therapy for gliomas: Advances in the mechanisms and approaches to delivery

Glioma is a diverse category of tumors originating from glial cells encompasses various subtypes, based on the specific type of glial cells involved. The most aggressive is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which stands as the predominant primary malignant tumor within the central nervous system in adults. Despite the application of treatment strategy, the median survival rate for GBM patients still hovers around 15 months. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are artificially engineered viruses designed to selectively target and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. While clinical trials have demonstrated encouraging results with intratumoral OV injections for some cancers, applying this approach to GBM presents unique challenges. Here we elaborate on current trends in oncolytic viral therapy and their delivery methods. We delve into the various methods of delivering OVs for therapy, exploring their respective advantages and disadvantages and discussing how selecting the optimal delivery method can enhance the efficacy of this innovative treatment approach.

Glioblastoma Therapy: Past, Present and Future

Glioblastoma (GB) stands out as the most prevalent and lethal form of brain cancer. Although great efforts have been made by clinicians and researchers, no significant improvement in survival has been achieved since the Stupp protocol became the standard of care (SOC) in 2005. Despite multimodality treatments, recurrence is almost universal with survival rates under 2 years after diagnosis. Here, we discuss the recent progress in our understanding of GB pathophysiology, in particular, the importance of glioma stem cells (GSCs), the tumor microenvironment conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms involved in GB growth, aggressiveness and recurrence. The discussion on therapeutic strategies first covers the SOC treatment and targeted therapies that have been shown to interfere with different signaling pathways (pRB/CDK4/RB1/P16ink4, TP53/MDM2/P14arf, PI3k/Akt-PTEN, RAS/RAF/MEK, PARP) involved in GB tumorigenesis, pathophysiology, and treatment resistance acquisition. Below, we analyze several immunotherapeutic approaches (i.e., checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, CAR-modified NK or T cells, oncolytic virotherapy) that have been used in an attempt to enhance the immune response against GB, and thereby avoid recidivism or increase survival of GB patients. Finally, we present treatment attempts made using nanotherapies (nanometric structures having active anti-GB agents such as antibodies, chemotherapeutic/anti-angiogenic drugs or sensitizers, radionuclides, and molecules that target GB cellular receptors or open the blood-brain barrier) and non-ionizing energies (laser interstitial thermal therapy, high/low intensity focused ultrasounds, photodynamic/sonodynamic therapies and electroporation). The aim of this review is to discuss the advances and limitations of the current therapies and to present novel approaches that are under development or following clinical trials.

[Human glioma malignancy grade and migratory capacity depending on expression of GDNF isoforms in vitro]

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is essential in maintaining the viability, function and differentiation of neuronal cells. In addition to its function in healthy nervous tissue, GDNF is involved in pathological processes, such as glioma growth. GDNF is represented by 2 main isoforms: pre-α-pro-GDNF (αGDNF) and pre-β-pro-GDNF (βGDNF). αGDNF maintains cell viability, and βGDNF has neurotrophic properties. The relationship between GDNF expression and human glioma malignancy grade, as well as migratory properties of tumor cells remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the expression of mRNA splice variants of GDNF in glioma cell cultures with various malignancy grades (I-IV) and degrees of migration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, αGDNF and βGDNF expression was analyzed in 15 human glioma cell cultures using Southern blot hybridization of GDNF cDNA and reverse transcription with PCR to amplify splice variants of GDNF mRNA.

RESULTS

The highest expression of αGDNF and βGDNF isoforms was observed in cell cultures of human gliomas with extensive migratory activity. Low βGDNF expression without αGDNF expression is typical only for gliomas with low migratory activity. In addition, we found additional patterns of mRNA expression that have not been previously described.

CONCLUSION

The relationship between GDNF and malignancy grade is unclear. Nevertheless, GDNF expression is higher in glioblastomas. Overall GDNF expression is increased in glioma cells with high migration activity. At the same time, αGDNF and βGDNF isoforms demonstrate higher expression in actively migrating cells that can indicate their participation in regulation of tumor migration properties. No αGDNF expression with simultaneous low βGDNF expression may be a prognostic sign of low migration activity of human glioma cells.