Verteporfin Inhibits Growth Of Human Ocular Glioma In Vitro Without Light Activation

Purpose: Optic nerve gliomas (ONGs) comprise 2-5% of all pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors and are the most common CNS tumors in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Treatment options are limited and are often associated with significant morbidity. Verteporfin (VP), a benzoporphyrin derivative, is clinically used as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy for neovascular macular degeneration and ocular tumors. Recent studies indicate that VP inhibits the growth of retinoblastoma and other tumor cells without photoactivation through inhibition of YAP-TEAD complex. In this study, we examined the effects of VP without light activation on human glioma LN229 and SNB19 cell growth in vitro.Methods: Human glioma cell lines LN229 and SNB19 were treated with VP. Cell growth was assessed by trypan blue exclusion test and MTT assay. Western blot analyses were performed to check the …