Astrocytes enhance glioblastoma growth.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly disease with a need for deeper understanding and new therapeutic approaches. The microenvironment of glioblastoma has previously been shown to guide glioblastoma progression. In this study, astrocytes were investigated with regard to their effect on glioblastoma proliferation through correlative analyses of clinical samples and experimental in vitro and in vivo studies.

Drug repurposing in cancer.

Cancer is a major health issue worldwide, and the global burden of cancer is expected to increase in the coming years. Whereas the limited success with current therapies has driven huge investments into drug development, the average number of FDA approvals per year has declined since the 1990s. This unmet need for more effective anti-cancer drugs has sparked a growing interest for drug repurposing, i.

Tumour-associated glial host cells display a stem-like phenotype with a distinct gene expression profile and promote growth of GBM xenografts.

Background: Little is known about the role of glial host cells in brain tumours. However, supporting stromal cells have been shown to foster tumour growth in other cancers.

Methods: We isolated stromal cells from patient-derived glioblastoma (GBM) xenografts established in GFP-NOD/scid mice.

Dactolisib (NVP-BEZ235) toxicity in murine brain tumour models.

Background: Glioblastomas (GBMs) are highly malignant brain tumours with a poor prognosis, and current cytotoxic regimens provide only a limited survival benefit. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has been an attractive target for therapy due to its high activation in GBMs as well as other cancers. The dual pan-PI3K/mTOR kinase inhibitor dactolisib (NVP-BEZ235) is an anti-neoplastic compound currently under investigation.