Flunarizine, a drug approved for treating migraine and vertigo, exhibits cytotoxicity in GBM cells.

Chen SH

Chen SH(1), Chao CN(2), Chen SY(3), Lin HP(4), Huang HY(5), Fang CY(6).
Author information:
(1)Department of Neurosurgery, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan. Electronic address: [Email]
(2)Department of Pediatrics, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: [Email]
(3)Department of Chinese Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; Department of Sports Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan City, Taiwan. Electronic address: [Email]
(4)Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Electronic address: [Email]
(5)Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Electronic address: [Email]
(6)Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Electronic address: [Email]

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173756

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis. The current treatment regimen, including surgical resection, radiation, and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, is still not curative. Therefore, there is an emerging need to develop a drug to treat GBM or synergistic enhance TMZ effect on GBM cells. Flunarizine (FLN), a drug approved for treating migraine and vertigo, was analyzed for its cytotoxicity and synergistic effect with TMZ on GBM cells in this study. Cell proliferation, clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were used to determine the effects of FLN on three GBM cells, U-87 MG, LN-229, and U-118 MG cells. We found that FLN induced GBM cell death. FLN also interfered with U-87 MG cell cycle progression. Flow cytometric analysis showed an increase of apoptotic cells after FLN treatment. Caspase 9, caspase 3, and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation were involved in apoptosis induction in U-87 MG and LN-229, suggesting the possible involvement of an intrinsic apoptotic pathway. We found that FLN treatment inhibited Akt pathway activation in U-87 MG cells, and synergistically increased the cytotoxicity of three GBM cells when combined with TMZ treatment. In conclusion, our current data suggested that FLN inhibited cell viability by inducing apoptosis. FLN inhibited Akt activation and enhanced the sensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ. These findings may provide important information regarding the application of FLN in GBM treatment in the future.