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BCL-2 Family Proteins Modulate Radiosensitivity in Human Malignant Glioma Cells

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Abstract

Radiotherapy is the standard treatment for glioblastoma. Here, we assessed the radiosensitivity of 12 human malignant glioma cell lines in vitro and correlated these data with irradiation-induced cell cycle changes, chemosensitivity profiles and BCL-2 family protein expression. Irradiation at 3 Gy failed to cause major cell cycle perturbations. Radioresistance was associated with collateral sensitivity to the topoisomerase II inhibitors, teniposide and doxorubicin. High levels of BCL-XL and low levels of BAX were independently linked to radioresistance. Ectopic expression of a BAX transgene induced radiosensitization in the LN-18 cell line. Thus, BCL-2 family protein expression modulates radiosensitivity in human glioma cells and targeted alterations in BCL-2 family protein expression are a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy for gliomas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Johannes R. Streffer, Andreas Rimner, Johannes Rieger, Ulrike Naumann & Michael Weller

  2. Section of Radiation Biology, Department of Radiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Hans-Peter Rodemann

Authors
  1. Johannes R. Streffer
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  2. Andreas Rimner
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  3. Johannes Rieger
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  4. Ulrike Naumann
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  5. Hans-Peter Rodemann
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  6. Michael Weller
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Streffer, J.R., Rimner, A., Rieger, J. et al. BCL-2 Family Proteins Modulate Radiosensitivity in Human Malignant Glioma Cells. J Neurooncol 56, 43–49 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014448721327

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014448721327

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