Indirubins decrease glioma invasion by blocking migratory phenotypes in both the tumor and stromal endothelial cell compartments.

Invasion and proliferation in neoplasia require the cooperation of tumor cell and endothelial compartments. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to signaling pathways that modulate invasion and proliferation. Here we show that GSK-3 inhibitors of the indirubin family reduce invasion of glioma cells and glioma-initiating cell-enriched neurospheres both in vitro and in vivo, and we show that β-catenin signaling plays an important role in mediating these effects.

microRNA-451: A conditional switch controlling glioma cell proliferation and migration.

Glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, is rapidly growing and highly infiltrative. Incomplete knowledge of the molecular biology, genetics, causes and cellular origin of these tumors may limit the development of improved therapeutics. A major and fundamental advance in recent years has been the identification of microRNAs as highly conserved regulators of gene expression.

MicroRNA-451 regulates LKB1/AMPK signaling and allows adaptation to metabolic stress in glioma cells.

To sustain tumor growth, cancer cells must be able to adapt to fluctuations in energy availability. We have identified a single microRNA that controls glioma cell proliferation, migration, and responsiveness to glucose deprivation. Abundant glucose allows relatively high miR-451 expression, promoting cell growth.

MicroRNAs and glioblastoma; the stem cell connection.

Recent data draw close parallels between cancer, including glial brain tumors, and the biology of stem and progenitor cells. At the same time, it has become clear that one of the major roles that microRNAs play is in the regulation of stem cell biology, differentiation, and cell 'identity'. For example, microRNAs have been increasingly implicated in the regulation of neural differentiation.

Emerging functions of microRNAs in glioblastoma.

Distinct patterns of microRNA expression have been observed in glioblastomas. The functional significance of some of these microRNAs is beginning to emerge. This data indicates that microRNAs play roles in multiple hallmark biological characteristics of glioblastoma, including cell proliferation, invasion, glioma stem cell behavior, and angiogenesis.

Targeting of the Bmi-1 oncogene/stem cell renewal factor by microRNA-128 inhibits glioma proliferation and self-renewal.

MicroRNAs (miR) show characteristic expression signatures in various cancers and can profoundly affect cancer cell behavior. We carried out miR expression profiling of human glioblastoma specimens versus adjacent brain devoid of tumor. This revealed several significant alterations, including a pronounced reduction of miR-128 in tumor samples.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Augment Antitumor Efficacy of Herpes-based Oncolytic Viruses.

Replication-conditional (oncolytic) mutants of herpes simplex virus (HSV), are considered promising therapeutic alternatives for human malignancies, and chemotherapeutic adjuvants are increasingly sought to augment their efficacy. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a new class of antineoplastic agents because of their potent activity in growth arrest, differentiation, and apoptotic death of cancer cells. The ability of the HDAC inhibitors to upregulate exogenous transgene expression and inhibit interferon (IFN) responses prompted our exploration of their use in improving the antitumor efficacy of oncolytic HSV.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors augment antitumor efficacy of herpes-based oncolytic viruses.

Replication-conditional (oncolytic) mutants of herpes simplex virus (HSV), are considered promising therapeutic alternatives for human malignancies, and chemotherapeutic adjuvants are increasingly sought to augment their efficacy. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a new class of antineoplastic agents because of their potent activity in growth arrest, differentiation, and apoptotic death of cancer cells. The ability of the HDAC inhibitors to upregulate exogenous transgene expression and inhibit interferon (IFN) responses prompted our exploration of their use in improving the antitumor efficacy of oncolytic HSV.