Bcl-xL antisense oligonucleotides chemosensitize human glioblastoma cells.

Background: Resistance to chemotherapy in glioblastoma has been linked to the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members including Bcl-xL.

Methods: Bcl-xL expression was specifically reduced in M059K glioblastoma cells with antisense oligonucleotides (ISIS 16009, ISIS 16967) as assessed by Western blotting. Induction of apoptosis by treatment with antisense oligonucleotides in combination with paclitaxel in cell culture was monitored by WST-1 assays and flow cytometric analysis.