Combining prelamin A accumulation and oxidative stress: A strategy to target glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and prevalent tumor of the Central Nervous System (CNS) with limited treatment options and poor patient outcomes. Standard therapies, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, provide only modest survival benefits, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. This study investigates a novel strategy targeting prelamin A processing in glioblastoma cells. By inhibiting the farnesyltransferase enzyme using SCH66336 (Lonafarnib), we promote the accumulation of lamin A precursor (prelamin A) in glioblastoma cells, thereby increasing their susceptibility to oxidative stress induced by Menadione administration, while sparing normal human astrocytes. Notably, the combined SCH66336-Menadione treatment reduced cell proliferation, modified the expression of stemness markers, and decreased viability in patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells, which represent the population responsible for tumor aggressiveness and recurrence. These findings indicate that inhibiting prelamin A processing could be a potential strategy to reduce glioblastoma aggressiveness and enhance therapeutic outcomes, particularly for treatment-resistant glioblastoma stem cell populations. This approach shows potential for integrating prelamin A processing disruption as a complementary strategy in glioblastoma therapy.