Synthetic glycolipids for glioma growth inhibition developed from neurostatin and NF115 compound

Neurostatin, a natural glycosphingolipid, and NF115, a synthetic glycolipid, are inhibitors of glioma growth. We used DNA microarray technology to compare the genes inhibited in human glioma cells after treatment with these inhibitors. New synthetic compounds were developed to interact with the product of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha gene (RhoGDIα), which was repressed in both treatments. The GC-17 compound inhibited glioma growth in a model in vivo; this might be a useful way for therapeutic treatment in malignant gliomas.