Stimulatory effect of suramin on the proliferation of human glioma cells

Abstract Suramin, a non-specific growth factor antagonist, has been reported to have pleiotrophic action on the proliferation of some kinds of tumours and has therefore attracted attention as an agent in the treatment of cancer. We studied its action on human glioma cell lines in vitro by examining the effect of suramin on the proliferation and the cell cycle and mitogen-activated protein (MAP)-kinase activity of glioma cells. We found that at low concentration (50, 100 micrograms/ml) suramin had a stimulatory effect while at higher concentrations (200, 500 micrograms/ml) it had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of 4 human glioma cell lines. At low concentrations, suramin stimulated the transition of glioma cells from a quiescent state (G0) to the proliferative phase (S phase); MAP kinase activity was also increased. The stimulatory effect of low concentrations of suramin on the proliferation of glioma cells may have important consequences for glioma patients treated with suramin.