In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that (1) human and rat glioma cell lines express high levels of FAS compared with normal brain astrocytes; high levels of FAS were also seen in human glioma tissue compared with normal human brain, (2) FAS inhibition is selectively cytotoxic to glioma cells; normal astrocytes are unaffected; and (3) both cytotoxic and cytostatic effects contribute to the cerulenin-mediated effects in glioma cells. The gene discussed is FAS; the disease is glioma.