BCNU/PLGA microspheres:a promising strategy for the treatment of gliomas in mice

Objective：To investigate the effects of BCNU/PLGA microspheres on tumor growth,apoptosis and chemotherapy resistance in a C57BL/6 mice orthotopic brain glioma model using GL261 cell line.Methods：BCNU/PLGA sustained-release microspheres were prepared by the water-in-oil-in-water emulsion technique.GL261 cells were intracranially injected into C57BL/6 mouse by using the stereotactic technology.A total of 60 tumor-bearing mice were randomly and equally divided into three groups：untreated control,PLGA treated,BCNU/PLGA treated.Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） was taken to evaluate tumor volume.BCNU/PLGA sustained-release wafers were implanted in the treatment group two weeks after inoculation.Survival time and quality were observed.Specimens were harvested,and immunohistochemical staining was used to check the expression of Bax,Bcl-2,and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase （MGMT）.Statistical methods was used for analysis of relevant data.Results：BCNU/PLGA sustained-release wafers were fabricated and implanted successfully.There is statistical difference of survival time between the BCNU/PLGA treated group and control groups （P＜0.05）.MRIscan showed inhibitory effect of BCNU/PLGA on tumor growth.Compared to the group A and B,BCNU/PLGA decreased the expression of apoptosis related gene Bcl-2 （P＜0.05）,but did not elevate the expression level of Bax （P＞0.05）,with the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 increased.For MGMT protein expression,no statistically significant change was found in treated group （P＞0.05）.Conclusions：Local implantation of BCNU/PLGA microspheres improved the survival quality and time of GL261 glioma-bearing mice significandy,inhibited the tumor proliferation,induced more cell apoptosis,and did not increase the chemotherapy resistance.

Current status of cell-mediated regenerative therapies for human spinal cord injury

During the past decade, significant advances have been made in refinements for regenerative therapies following human spinal cord injury （SCI）. Positive results have been achieved with different types of cells in various clinical studies of SCI. In this review, we summarize recently-completed clinical trials using cell- mediated regenerative therapies for human SCI, together with ongoing trials using neural stem cells. Specifically, clinical studies published in Chinese journals are included. These studies show that current transplantation therapies are relatively safe, and have provided varying degrees of neurological recovery. However, many obstacles exist, hindering the introduction of a specific clinical therapy, including complications and their causes, selection of the target population, and optimization of transplantation material. Despite these and other challenges, with the collaboration of research groups and strong support from various organizations, cell-mediated regenerative therapies will open new perspectives for SCI treatment.