Invasive phenotype observed in 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea—resistant sublines of 9L rat glioma cells: a tumor model mimicking a recurrent malignant glioma

Abstract

Object. Chemotherapy is suspected of having an effect on the generation of phenotypical heterogeneity and the development of drug resistance in tumors. Recurrent gliomas feature drug resistance as well as greater invasive growth than original tumors. The authors investigated phenotypical changes in invasion observed in 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU)—resistant sublines of the 9L rat gliosarcoma. Methods. Two established BCNU-resistant sublines, derived from 9L gliosarcoma cells by treating these cells with BCNU in vivo or in vitro, were used in the study. An in vitro examination confirmed the resistance of the cells to BCNU treatment. The cells were implanted into the striatum of Fisher 344 rats, and histological examinations were performed to compare the growth patterns of the resultant tumors. A new brain tumor model was established by implanting 9L-2 cells in Fisher 344 rats. The 9L-2 and BTRC-19 cells displayed a distinct increase in BCNU resistance compared with the 9L cells. Both BCNU-re...