Loss of prostaglandin Dâ‚‚synthase : a key molecular event in the transition of a low-grade astrocytoma to an anaplastic astrocytoma

Reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of lipocalin-like prostaglandin Dâ‚‚(PGDâ‚‚) synthase (PGDS), the main arachidonic acid metabolite produced in neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system, is a significant biological event involved in the malignant progression of astrocytomas and is predictive of poor survival. In vitro, the addition of the main PGDS metabolite, PGDâ‚‚, to A172 glioblastoma cells devoid of PGDS resulted in antiproliferative activity and cell death. In vitro PGDâ‚‚substitution also enhanced the efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase-2i nhibitors. This finding has exciting implications for early interventional efforts for the grade 2 and 3 astrocytomas.