Noscapine inhibits tumor growth in TMZ-resistant gliomas

Noscapine, a common oral antitussive agent, has been shown to have potent antitumor activity in a variety of cancers. Treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with temozolomide (TMZ), its current standard of care, is problematic because the tumor generally recurs and is then resistant to this drug. We therefore investigated the effects of noscapine on human TMZ-resistant GBM tumors. We found that noscapine significantly decreased TMZ-resistant glioma cell growth and invasion. Using the intracranial xenograft model, we showed that noscapine increased survival of animals with TMZ-resistant gliomas. Thus noscapine can provide an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of TMZ-resistant gliomas.

► Noscapine is a non-toxic agent used as a cough suppressant for decades.
► Noscapine increased survival of animals bearing temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant gliomas.
► Noscapine inhibited proliferation of TMZ-resistant glioma cells.
► Noscapine decreased the migration and invasion of TMZ-resistant glioma cells.
► Noscapine provides a potential alternative therapy for recurrent resistant gliomas.