Cdk-inhibition as putative new glioblastoma therapy

Glioblastoma multiforme is characterized by a high invasive and infiltrative tumor growth. Roscovitine, a cyclin dependent kinase (cdk)-inhibitor, is already used in clinical trials against cancer of different origin. It not only inhibits cell cycle dependent cdks (2, 7, 8 and 9) but also cdk5, which plays a role in cell migration. This dual activity makes roscovitine an interesting putative candidate for glioblastoma therapy. Thus, the influence of roscovitine on human glioma cell lines was evaluated in vitro. Treated cells showed concentration-dependent significant proliferation inhibition, reduced viability and less migration. Cell cycle experiments revealed a moderate cell cycle change after incubation with roscovitine. Apoptosis was not affected. In vivo xenograft mouse experiments will have to be performed to confirm the anti-migratory and anti-proliferation effect of roscovitine in gliomas.

We thank Cyclacel for providing roscovitine.