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Estrogen increases survival in an orthotopic model of glioblastoma

  • Laboratory Investigation - Human/animal tissue
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Abstract

Despite the male preponderance for developing glial tumors and a body of published literature that suggests a female gender advantage for long term survival in both human and animal studies, there have been relatively few rigorous investigations into the hormonal effects on glial tumor growth. In a previous study, we concluded that estrogen played a major role in the female survival bias seen in an intracerebral nude rat model of glioblastoma multiforme. Here we explore the potential therapeutic effect of exogenous estradiol delivery in nude rats with orthotopic glioblastoma tumors and examine the mechanism of action of estradiol on reducing tumor growth in this animal model. We administered estradiol, in several dosing regimens, to male, female and ovariectomized nude rats in a survival study. Brain sections, taken at various time points in tumor progression, were analyzed for estrogen receptor protein, proliferative index and apoptotic index. Estradiol increased survival of male, female and ovariectomized nude rats with intracerebral U87MG tumors, in a gender specific manner. The estradiol mediated effect occurred early in tumor progression, and appeared to be caused in-part by an increase in apoptotic activity. It remains unclear if estradiol’s effect is direct or indirect and if it is estrogen receptor mediated. Estradiol-based or adjunctive therapy may be beneficial in treating GBM and further study is clearly warranted.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Phyllis Spence and Rachel Heim for excellent technical assistance and Agniezska Lis Ph.D for helpful suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA

    Tara A. Barone, Justin W. Gorski & Robert J. Plunkett

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, 100 High Street, E2, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA

    Robert J. Plunkett

  3. Neurology Global Clinical Development, EMD Serono, Rockland, MA, 02370, USA

    Steven J. Greenberg

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  1. Tara A. Barone
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  2. Justin W. Gorski
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  4. Robert J. Plunkett
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Correspondence to Robert J. Plunkett.

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Barone, T.A., Gorski, J.W., Greenberg, S.J. et al. Estrogen increases survival in an orthotopic model of glioblastoma. J Neurooncol 95, 37–48 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-009-9904-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-009-9904-6

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