Troglitazone Reduces Glyoxalase I Protein Expression in Glioma and Potentiates the Effects of Chemotherapeutic Agents

Abstract EN

Despite resistance of most gliomas to chemotherapy, approximately 2/3 of oligodendrogliomas show sensitivity to such agents.

This sensitivity has been associated with deletions on chromosome 1p alone or in combination with 19q.

Higher expression of the enzyme glyoxalase I has been found in oligodendrogliomas with chromosome 1p intact compared to those with a deletion.

Higher expression of this enzyme is also associated with tumor chemoresistance in other cancers.

The present study tested whether the drug troglitazone would make a glioma cell line more sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents.

This drug was chosen because it has been shown to decrease glyoxalase I enzyme activity in cells.

Treatment with troglitazone decreased expression of glyoxalase I, and potentiated cell death when used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.

This decrease in glyoxalase I protein may be one mechanism by which this potentiation occurs, and troglitazone may be a candidate for use in glioma therapy.