Background/Aim: Glioblastoma is the most malignant and widespread brain tumor in adults, with a rapid clinical course. Recently, it has been hypothesized that L-DOPA plays a role in the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pretreatment with L-DOPA on the biological behavior of human T98G cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: T98G cells were treated with 50 μg/ml or 100 μg/ml of L-DOPA for 4 h and their morphology, growth rate, clonogenic survival and migratory capacity in basal conditions and after carbon ion irradiation were evaluated using standard methods. Results: Treated cells showed a lower growth rate and an increased migratory capacity that correlated with the dose of tested L-DOPA. Treatment with L-DOPA increased the growth rate of carbon ion irradiated T98G cells compared to control non-treated cells exposed to the same radiation dose. Conclusion: Our results open further questions about the overall advantage of L-DOPA treatment of glioblastoma. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor in adults, known for its aggressive proliferation and extensive invasion to normal tissue before any symptoms are presented, with long-term survival being extremely rare (1, 2).
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