Constitutively activated STAT3 frequently coexpresses with epidermal growth factor receptor in high-grade gliomas and targeting STAT3 sensitizes them to Iressa and alkylators.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The goals of this study are to elucidate the relationship of the oncogenic transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) with glioma aggressiveness and to understand the role of high STAT3 activity in the resistance of malignant gliomas and medulloblastomas to chemotherapy.

Experimental design

Immunohistochemical staining and biochemical methods were used to examine the extent of STAT3 activation and EGFR expression in primary specimens and cell lines, respectively. Cellular response to drug treatments was determined using cell cytotoxicity and clonogenic growth assays.

Results

We found STAT3 to be constitutively activated in 60% of primary high-grade/malignant gliomas and the extent of activation correlated positively with gl

SUBMITTER: Lo HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2707832 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature