gms | German Medical Science

56. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)
3èmes journées françaises de Neurochirurgie (SFNC)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V.
Société Française de Neurochirurgie

07. bis 11.05.2005, Strasbourg

Article

Send article

Cell death induction by betulinic acid, ceramide and TRAIL in primary glioblastoma multiforme cells

Zelltod-Induktion durch Betulinsäure, Ceramide und TRIAL in primären Glioblastomzellen

Meeting Abstract

Search Medline for

  • I. Jeremias - Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Munich
  • A. Benner - Central Unit Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg
  • A. Debatin - University Clinic and Policlinic for Children and Adolescents, Ulm
  • C. Herold-Mende - Department of Neurosurgery, Section Molecular Biology, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg
  • corresponding author H. H. Steiner - Department of Neurosurgery, Section Molecular Biology, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Société Française de Neurochirurgie. 56. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC), 3èmes journées françaises de Neurochirurgie (SFNC). Strasbourg, 07.-11.05.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. DocP167

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2005/05dgnc0435.shtml

Published: May 4, 2005

© 2005 Jeremias et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

Text

Objective

Glioblastoma multiforme (WHO Grade IV, GBM) is the most malignant brain tumour with a mean survival time of not seldom less than one year under Standard treatment. Betulinic acid, ceramide and TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) represent novel therapeutic agents for potential use in GBM.

Methods

Primary GBM cells of 21 patients with macroscopically complete tumour resection were tested in vitro for cell death induction by betulinic acid, ceramide, TRAIL and established therapeutics (BCNU, cisplatin, doxorubicin, vincristin and gamma-irradiation).

Results

At peak plasma concentrations (PPC), Betulinic acid, ceramide and TRAIL induced cell death in primary GBM cells at higher rates than established cytotoxic drugs. Specific cell death at least or more as 75% was observed in 43% (9=21), 38% (8=21), and 19% (4=21) for betulinic acid, ceramide, and TRAIL respectively, while this was only found in 5% (1=21) of gamma-irradiated and cisplatin-treated cells, and in none of the GBM cultures, where BCNU or vincristin were applied in PPC.

Conclusions

Due to a markedly improved cell death of GBM cells as compared with established therapeutics, Betulinic acid, ceramide and TRAIL might represent potent substances for future treatment of GBM.