Childhood tumors frequently show a higher activity of anti-apoptotic molecules and of embryonal signalling pathways like the hedgehog signalling pathway. Here we demonstrated the anti-tumorigenic activity of betulinic acid, an inducer of apoptosis, and of cyclopamine, an inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway in hepatoblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Each substance was able to induce apoptosis and to inhibit the hedgehog signalling in these cells. In addition, betulinic acid was effective in a xenograft mouse model. Therefore, these compounds might be of high interest for the treatment of embryonal tumors in the future.
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Childhood tumors frequently show a higher activity of anti-apoptotic molecules and of embryonal signalling pathways like the hedgehog signalling pathway. Here we demonstrated the anti-tumorigenic activity of betulinic acid, an inducer of apoptosis, and of cyclopamine, an inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway in hepatoblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Each substance was able to induce apoptosis and to inhibit the hedgehog signalling in these cells. In addition, betulinic acid was effective in...
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