Preferential inhibition of glioblastoma cells with wild-type epidermal growth factor receptors by a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor ethyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene overexpression and mutations play an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignant human cancers. In this study, we tested the effects of a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ethyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (EtDHC), against related human glioblastoma cell lines expressing specific forms of EGFR gene mutations. EtDHC more potently inhibited cell growth and DNA synthesis in glioblastoma cells with endogenous or overexpressed wild-type EGFR compared with those with truncated EGFR, by preferentially inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity and autophosphorylation of the wild-type EGFR.

Tyrphostin AG 1478 preferentially inhibits human glioma cells expressing truncated rather than wild-type epidermal growth factor receptors.

The effects of a new epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin AG 1478, were tested on three related human glioma cell lines: U87MG, which expressed endogenous wild-type (wt) EGFR, and two retrovirally infected U87MG cell populations which over-expressed either wt (U87MG.wtEGFR) or truncated EGFR (U87MG. delta EGFR).

Delayed intravenous administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) reduces infarct volume in a model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in the rat.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent neurotrophic and vasoactive peptide. Previous studies have shown that intraventricularly-administered bFGF reduces the size of cerebral infarcts following focal ischemia. In the current study, we tested the effects of intravenously-administered bFGF in a model of focal ischemia/reperfusion.

Increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) following focal cerebral infarction in the rat.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a polypeptide with potent trophic effects on brain neurons, glia, and endothelial cells. In the current study, we used Northern blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical techniques to examine bFGF expression in brain following focal infarction due to permanent occlusion of the proximal middle cerebral artery in mature Sprague-Dawley rats. We found a four-fold increase in bFGF mRNA in tissue surrounding focal infarcts at 1 day after ischemia.

Pretreatment with intraventricular basic fibroblast growth factor decreases infarct size following focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Basic fibroblast growth factor is a polypeptide with potent multipotential trophic effects on central nervous system cells, including neurons, glia, and endothelial cells. In particular, it promotes the survival of a wide variety of brain neurons in vitro, and protects these neurons against the effects of several neurotoxins, including excitatory amino acids, hypoglycemia, and calcium ionophore. Since lack of substrate delivery, excitatory amino acid toxicity, and calcium entry into cells appear to be important processes in neuronal death after ischemia, we tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with basic fibroblast growth factor limits infarct size in a model of focal cerebral ischemia in vivo.