PPAR-γ Thiazolidinedione Agonists and Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Brain Tumors

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are selective agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, a transcription factor belonging to the superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. Although activation of PPARγ by TZDs has been best characterized by its ability to regulate expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism, PPARγ agonists have other physiological effects including modulating pro- and anti-inflammatory gene expression and inducing apoptosis in several cell types including glioma cells and cell lines. Immunotherapeutic approaches to reducing brain tumors are focused on means to reduce the immunosuppressive responses of tumors which dampen the ability of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to kill tumors. Initial studies from our lab show that combination of an immunotherapeutic strategy with TZD treatment provides synergistic benefit in animals with implanted tumors. The potential of this combined approach for treatment of brain tumors is reviewed in this report.