Poster #095
Dexamethasone vs. Cisplatin: Cytotoxic Effects on Glioma Cells
Mentors: Manas Kinra, PhD and Edward Zagha, MD PhD
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive adult brain tumor with poor treatment outcomes; therapeutic efficacy is further limited by the restrictive permeability of the blood–brain barrier. This study investigates cytotoxic effects of dexamethasone (Dex) and cisplatin (Cis) on F98 glioma cells in vitro. Dex, a small lipophilic steroid, partially crosses the blood–brain barrier and is commonly used to reduce cerebral inflammation, while Cis, a chemotherapeutic, exerts both antitumor effects. We aimed to determine and compare the IC₅₀ values of each compound using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays. F98 cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, treated with increasing concentrations of Dex and Cis (500-0.0152), and viability was assessed to calculate IC₅₀. Results demonstrated that Cis exhibited significantly lower IC₅₀ (higher potency) than Dex in reducing cell viability (p < 0.05). These findings explain distinct cytotoxic profiles and support the rationale for optimized combination or dosing strategies in GBM management.