Cytotoxic synergy between alisertib and carboplatin versus alisertib and irinotecan are inversely dependent on MGMT levels in glioblastoma cells.

Introduction: Glioblastoma remains difficult to treat and patients whose tumors express high levels of O-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) usually respond poorly to standard temozolomide chemotherapy. We have previously shown that the selective AURKA inhibitor alisertib potently inhibits growth of glioblastoma cells.

Methods: We used colony formation assays, annexin V binding, and western blotting to examine the effects of alisertib on the antiproliferative capabilities of carboplatin and irinotecan in glioblastoma cells.