Different effects of valproic acid on proliferation and migration of malignant glioma cells in vitro

Valproic acid (VPA) has been considered as a possible treatment agent for malignant gliomas. In order to characterise the possibilities of VPA, we investigated the effects on cell migration and proliferation. Human cell lines T99G, A172, 85HG66 and 86HG39 were treated with VPA or left untreated, afterwards Boyden chamber assays was used for measuring vertical migration. In a second assay cells were simulated to create spheroids and spheroid migration was measured. Proliferation was assesses using a cell counter. VPA decreased proliferation of 86HG39>A172>85HG66 cells, whereas T98G remained uninfluenced. The influence of VPA of VPA on migration was different; whereas VPA dose-dependently stimulated migration of 86HG39 cells, migration of T98G and 85HG66 decreased, whereas A172 cells remained uninfluenced. Only 86HG39 and A172 cells created spheroids. In both cell lines Boyden-chamber-findings were confirmed by analysing the influence of VPA on spheroid migration. These non-uniform data demonstrate that the benefit of VPA in glioma treatment is not clear and needs further investigation.