Small interfering RNA-mediated xCT silencing in gliomas inhibits neurodegeneration and alleviates brain edema.

Neurodegeneration and brain edema are hallmarks of human malignant brain tumors. Here we show that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of the glutamate transporter xCT (X(c-) system, encoded by SLC7a11) in vivo leads to abrogated neurodegeneration, attenuated perifocal edema and prolonged survival. These results show a crucial role for xCT in glioma-induced neurodegeneration and brain edema, corroborating the concept that edema formation may be in part a consequence of peritumoral cell death.