Relationship between the activity of cyclooxygenase 2 and resistance protein expression in multiple drugs in glioblastoma cells U251MG resistant vincristine

• Grant number: 16/23131-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2017
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Alison Colquhoun
• Grantee: Suzane Silva Lima
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Gliomas are tumors originated from glial cells and have basically a histological classification, which is divided into grades. The grade IV glioma, also known as glioblastoma is the most aggressive and has the worst prognosis with a high rate of recurrence. The correct classification of the tumor is an important criteria in the choice of therapies, however, the current methodology for determining the grade is not accurate. The study of the molecular aspects of glioblastomas is important to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that may increase the prognostic and improve the quality of life of people with brain tumors. Among the molecular aspects of glioblastomas currently being studied, we can highlight the effect of eicosanoids and the influence of multidrug resistance proteins in resistance to treatment. The eicosanoids are derived from fatty acids and molecules which are mainly represented by: prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes. It was noted that eicosanoids producing enzymes such as cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenases are overexpressed in brain tumors and that could promote tumorigenesis. Expression of multidrug resistance proteins are present in many strains of glioblastomas, triggering a chemotherapeutic resistance phenotype that hinders tumor treatment. Currently, little is known about the molecular biology of glioblastomas, requiring research aimed at clarifying the malignant behavior of the tumor and to encourage the development of therapies from new molecular targets. (AU)