To identify the NK cell-independent component of the antitumour activity of EE, we next investigated the potential role played by BDNF on glioma growth: to this aim, SE mice were infused with BDNF (100 ng ml−1, 3 μl) or vehicle, 48 h before and during glioma transplantation and their brains were analysed 17 days later. Here, BDNF is linked to central nervous system cancer.