title: [Microbiological approach to the treatment of brain tumors].
abstract: Growths factors, defined as polypeptides that stimulate cell proliferation, are major growth-regulatory molecules for cells in culture and probably also for cells in vivo. Evidence has been derived for autocrine system in which the cell produces its own growth factor. Several growth factors as well as their cellular receptors have been identified as productions of proto-oncogenes. Furthermore, these growth factors have been identified as mitogens in tumors of the central nervous system. The roles of growth factors including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), transforming growth factors (TGFs) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on the proliferation of brain tumors, especially glioma were reviewed. The activation of cellular proto-oncogenes resulting in the autocrine system of growth factors and their receptors offers the opportunity for therapeutic interference. Therapeutic efforts will be based on the concepts of neutralization of growth factors, antagonizing growth factors at their receptors, irreversibly blocking receptors, and interference with oncogene product synthesis. Specific antibody for growth factors or receptors will be able to inhibit the proliferation. Trapidil, an antagonist for PDGF, can inhibit the proliferation of a PDGF-producing glioma cell. We can assume that the further analysis of growth regulatory mechanism will allow the design of new therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neurosurgery, Kumamoto University Medical School.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuratsu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ushio
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D005910:Glioma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009857:Oncogenes; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014192:Trapidil / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D014192:Trapidil