Growth inhibition of human malignant glioma cells in vitro by agents which interfere with biosynthesis of eicosanoids.

In an attempt to find new methods for the treatment of malignant gliomas a number of tests have been performed to learn whether growth of such cells in vitro may be affected by agents which interfere with the biosynthesis of eicosanoids. It was observed that DNA-synthesis of short-term monolayer cultures could be blocked by compounds which inhibit cyclooxygenase and/or lipoxygenase dependent arachidonic acid metabolism. The strongest inhibitory activities were noted in serum-free culture medium using compounds interfering with the activity of lipoxygenases. One explanation of these results could be that the growth of human malignant gliomas is dependent on certain eicosanoids which may be synthesized by the malignant cells themselves.