Therapeutics: BCL2-like 11 apoptosis facilitator (BCL2L11; BIM); epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)

In vitro studies suggest BIM mimetics or MEK inhibitors could help treat EGFR inhibitor-resistant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In patient-derived GBM cells treated with an EGFR inhibitor, resistant cells exhibited higher activity of the pro-survival MEK signaling pathway and lower levels of pro-apoptotic BIM than sensitive cells. In the treatment-resistant GBM cells, gefitinib plus a MEK inhibitor or BIM mimetic decreased cell viability compared with gefitinib alone. Next steps could include testing the combinations in animal models of glioblastoma...