Cisplatin restores TRAIL apoptotic pathway in glioblastoma-derived stem cells through up-regulation of DR5 and down-regulation of c-FLIP

Cancer Invest. 2011 Oct;29(8):511-20. doi: 10.3109/07357907.2011.605412. Epub 2011 Aug 30.

Abstract

Glioblastoma-derived stem cells (GSCs) are responsible for the cancer resistance to therapies. We show here that GSC-enriched neurospheres are resistant to the treatment of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) due to the insufficient expression of the death receptor DR4 and DR5 and the overexpression of cellular Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). However, treatment with cisplatin leads to the upregulation of DR5 and downregulation of c-FLIP and restores TRAIL apoptotic pathway in the neurospheres. This study suggests that the combined treatment of TRAIL and cisplatin can induce apoptosis in GSCs and thus provide an effective treatment of glioblastomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / physiology*
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / pharmacology*
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein
  • CFLAR protein, human
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Cisplatin