phenanthrenes and Neurilemmoma

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) are invasive, hard-to-treat, soft tissue sarcomas. In this study, in vitro and in vivo effects of triptolide were investigated using human MPNST cell lines.. Cultured STS-26T and ST88-14 cells were treated with 0-100 ng/ml triptolide (for determination of cell proliferation by sulphorhodamine B assay), with 12.5 ng/ml or 25 ng/ml triptolide (for analysis of caspase activity, effects on apoptotic pathway intermediates [by Western blots and flow cytometry], and for measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A xenograft model was established by injection of STS-26T cells into nude mice, and the effects of 250 μg/kg triptolide on tumour growth and apoptosis were compared with controls.. Triptolide significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro, through activation of caspases, in a dose- and time-dependent manner; VEGF and EGFR levels were suppressed. In vivo, triptolide inhibited the growth of STS-26T xenografts and reduced apoptosis.. Triptolide may have a therapeutic benefit in MPNST treatment.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Caspase 8; Caspase 9; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cytochromes c; Diterpenes; Enzyme Activation; Epoxy Compounds; ErbB Receptors; Female; Humans; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neurilemmoma; Phenanthrenes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays