Cancers
18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Exerts Subgroup-Specific Antitumor Activity and Enhances Radiosensitivity in Medulloblastoma
By Francesca Palone, Luca Marchetti, Marco Del Corso and 5 others.
Abstract
Background
Radiotherapy (RT) is a cornerstone of medulloblastoma (MB) treatment, but its efficacy may be limited by intrinsic or acquired radioresistance, while radiation-related late effects remain a major concern in pediatric patients. 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), a bioactive triterpenoid derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra, has shown antitumor activity in several malignancies. This study evaluated its antitumor and radiosensitizing effects in biologically distinct MB models.
Methods
DAOY cells, used as an SHH-associated, TP53-mutant model, and D283 cells, commonly considered a Group 3/Group 4-associated model, were treated with 18β-GA (2.5–5 μM), γ-radiation (2–4 Gy), or their combination. Cell viability, clonogenic survival and migration were assessed. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3/7 activity and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Modulation of AMPK/NF-κB and SHH signaling was examined by immunoblotting and RT-qPCR.