High-LET radiation combined with oxaliplatin induce autophagy in U-87 glioblastoma cells

Cancer Lett. 2008 Jun 8;264(1):63-70. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.01.023. Epub 2008 Mar 10.

Abstract

Modern protocols of concomitant chemo/radiotherapy provide a very effective strategy to treat certain types of tumors. High-linear energy transfer (LET) radiations, on the other hand, have an increased efficacy against cancer with low radiosensibility and critical localization. We previously reported that oxaliplatin, a third generation platinum drug, was able to reinforce the cytotoxicity of an irradiation by fast neutrons towards human glioblastoma U-87 cells in culture. We show here that such a combination has the capacity to enhance the number of double strand breaks in DNA and to induce autophagy in these cells. Xenografts experiments were further performed in nude mice subcutaneously transplanted with U-87 cells. When injected shortly before a single irradiation by fast neutrons, oxaliplatin causes a marked reduction of tumor growth compared with the irradiation alone. Overall, our data indicate the unique cytotoxic mechanism of a combined high-LET irradiation and oxaliplatin treatment modality and suggest its potential application in anticancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autophagy / radiation effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Fast Neutrons
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Linear Energy Transfer*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin