2. Academic Validation
  3. Adjuvant therapeutic potential of tonabersat in the standard treatment of glioblastoma: A preclinical F98 glioblastoma rat model study

Adjuvant therapeutic potential of tonabersat in the standard treatment of glioblastoma: A preclinical F98 glioblastoma rat model study

  • PLoS One. 2019 Oct 21;14(10):e0224130. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224130.
Valerie De Meulenaere 1,  Ellen Bonte 1,  Jeroen Verhoeven 2,  Jean-Pierre Kalala Okito 3,  Leen Pieters 4,  Anne Vral 4,  Olivier De Wever 5,  Luc Leybaert 6,  Ingeborg Goethals 7,  Christian Vanhove 8,  Benedicte Descamps 8,  Karel Deblaere 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Radiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
  • 2 Department of Pharmaceutical analysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
  • 3 Department of Neurosurgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
  • 4 Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
  • 5 Department of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
  • 6 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
  • 7 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
  • 8 IBiTech-Medisip-Infinity lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
PMID: 31634381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224130
Abstract

Purpose: Even with an optimal treatment protocol, the median survival of glioblastoma (GB) patients is only 12-15 months. Hence, there is need for novel effective therapies that improve survival outcomes. Recent evidence suggests an important role for connexin (Cx) proteins (especially Cx43) in the microenvironment of malignant glioma. Cx43-mediated gap junctional communication has been observed between tumor cells, between astrocytes and between tumor cells and astrocytes. Therefore, gap junction directed therapy using a pharmacological suppressor or modulator, such as tonabersat, could be a promising target in the treatment of GB. In this preclinical study, we evaluated the possible therapeutic potential of tonabersat in the F98 model.

Procedures: Female Fischer rats were inoculated with ± 25.000 F98 tumor cells in the right frontal lobe. Eight days post-inoculation contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1w) magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired to confirm tumor growth in the brain. After tumor confirmation, rats were randomized into a Control Group, a Connexin Modulation Group (CM), a Standard Medical Treatment Group (ST), and a Standard Medical Treatment with Adjuvant Connexin Modulation Group (STCM). To evaluate therapy response, T2-weighted (T2w) and CE-T1w sequences were acquired at several time points. Tumor volume analysis was performed on CE-T1w images and statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model.

Results: Significant differences in estimated geometric mean tumor volumes were found between the ST Group and the Control Group and also between the STCM Group and the Control Group. In addition, significant differences in estimated geometric mean tumor volumes between the ST Group and the STCM Group were demonstrated. No significant differences in estimated geometric mean tumor volumes were found between the Control Group and the CM Group.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a therapeutic potential of tonabersat for the treatment of GB when used in combination with radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy.

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