Variability of intracellular concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor in cultured human gliomas.

BACKGROUND: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a small peptide with angiogenic and mitogenic properties that supports the growth and proliteration of human malignant glial tumors in vitro and in vivo in an autocrine fashion. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential relationship between intracellular bFGF concentrations and grade of glial malignancy using a monolayer cell culture system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples from 13 histopathologically verified astrocytic brain tumors and two non-tumorous astrocyte specimens were grown in tissue culture and examined both early and late after explantation together with a bFGF-producing reference cell line. RESULTS: Elevated intracellular concentrations of bFGF were noted in the reference line as well as two of five other glioblastoma multiforme-derived cell cultules, three of five anaplastic glioma-derived cell cultures, and two of three astrocytoma-derived cell cultures. The cells derived from non-tumorous astrocyte specimens expressed low concentrations of bFGF. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that overlap exists between the grade ot glial malignancy and intracellular bFGF levels.