title: [The inhibitory effects of corticosteroid on the proliferation of tumor cells derived from human astrocytoma-gliobastoma--with special reference to combined vasopressin--corticosteroid therapy (author's transl)].
abstract: In view of the fact that clinical reports have been recently made that combined varopressin-corticosteroid therapy is remarkably effective against recurrent malignant astrocytoma, it is considered necessary to review the antitimor action of steroids against glioma. The effects of hydrocortisone sodium succinate were studied on cultured cells derived from 17 glioma cases composed of 8 cases of glioblastoma (grade III, IV) and 9 cases of benign astrocytoma (grade I, II). Actively growing monolayer culture of tumor cells was exposed to the test agent of serially diluted concentration from 10(-4) to 10(-7) g/ml. The effectiveness was estimated by calculating the proliferation rate of cells for 7 days. The response curve of the test agent exhibited a relatively good correlation to dose as well as a good potency in suppressing cellular proliferation. This was more marked in cells from malignant glioma than those from benign glioma. The results also indicate that the inhibitory effects of corticosteroid are closely correlated to the growth rate of the tumor itself. Thus, the therapeutic effects of long-term administration of corticosteroid can be expected not only by the resultant decrease in cerebral edema and in the suppressed production rate of cerebrospinal fluid but also from the standpoint of its anti-timor action. It should be possible to effectively include steroid therapy in the program of surgical procedure, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for glioma patients in whom recurrence is generally almost inevitable.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone