Background/aim: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common and lethal extracranial solid tumor in children. The present study aimed to verify that the heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a rational target in NB therapy.
Material and methods: We examined expression of EGFR ligands in four NB cell lines using 2-dimensional culture (DC) and 3DC conditions. To assess the anti-tumor effect of cross-reacting material 197 (CRM197), which is a specific inhibitor of HB-EGF, on NB cells, we also performed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay to detect apoptotic cells.
Results: HB-EGF was predominantly expressed in two out of four NB cell lines under 2DC and 3DC conditions. CRM197 significantly induced apoptosis of NB cells with high HB-EGF expression.
Conclusion: HB-EGF plays an important role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis and CRM197 showed an effective antitumor effect in neuroblastoma cells.
Keywords: CRM197; HB-EGF; Neuroblastoma.
Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.