Previously we showed apoptotic induction in A375 human melanoma cells using two complexes of the meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinate (TPPS), (Bu2Sn)2TPPS and (Bu3Sn)4TPPS. To understand how these compounds activate apoptosis in melanoma cells we studied MAPKs and the (Bu2Sn)2TPPS and (Bu3Sn)4TPPS cellular uptake. Western blotting experiments showed activated protein kinases ERK 1/2, JNK and...

BACKGROUND FKBP51 (FKBP5 Official Symbol) is a large molecular weight component of the family of FK506 binding proteins (FKBP). In recent years, research studies from our laboratory highlighted functions for FKBP51 in the control of apoptosis and melanoma progression. FKBP51 expression correlated with the invasiveness and aggressiveness of melanoma. Since a role for TGF-β in the enhanced tumori...

BACKGROUND Sigma2 (σ2) receptors are highly expressed in cancer cell lines and in tumours. Two novel selective 18F-phthalimido σ2 ligands, 18F-SIG343 and 18F-SIG353, were prepared and characterised for their potential tumour imaging properties. METHODS Preparation of 18F-SIG343 and 18F-SIG353 was achieved via nucleophilic substitution of their respective nitro precursors. In vitro studies inc...

We have recently shown that covalent attachment of the nitric oxide (NO) moiety to the HIV protease inhibitor Saquinavir (Saq) produced a qualitatively new chemical entity, named Saquinavir-NO (Saq-NO), with enhanced anticancer properties and reduced toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to address several unanswered questi...

This study was aimed at evaluating the potential application of benzophenanthridine alkaloids, sanguinarine and cheleritrine, in the therapy of melanoma cancer. In vitro antiproliferative activity of sanguinarine was higher than that of cheleritrine against the B16 melanoma 4A5 cells. Both agents were able to produce DNA breaks, and the DNA unwinding assay showed that they act as DNA intercalat...

Extracellular matrix 1 (ECM1) is over-expressed in multiple epithelial malignancies. However, knowledge regarding the expression of ECM1 in melanomas and the mechanisms of ECM1 regulation is limited. In this study, we found that ECM1 is over-expressed in several melanoma cell lines, when compared to primary melanocytes, and furthermore, that ECM1 expression paralleled that of TFAP2C levels in m...

AIMS AND BACKGROUND Human malignant melanoma is a very aggressive and highly angiogenesis-dependent tumor. Basic fibroblast growth factor and angiogenin are the potentially important angiogenic factors for melanoma progression and metastasis. Many studies have mainly focused on how they induce angiogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on t...

Nanometal oxides were extracted from cement factories wastes and employed to proliferate skin cancer cells using MTT (Methyl Thiazolyl Tetraolium) assay. assay results for cell line A375,for CaO NPs the best concentration was 200 μg/mL,The viability reduced 57.28% while IC50 (69.66) g/mL A375 normal WRL68 significantly higher (231.2 g/mL). The cytotoxicity of CaO: MgO: Fe2O3 NPs, at concentrati...

Two novel series of RGD-MEKI conjugates derived from a MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor--PD0325901--have been developed for integrin receptor mediated anticancer therapy. The first series, alkoxylamine analog RGD-MEKI conjugates 9a-g showed anti-proliferation activity in melanoma A375 cells by the same mechanism as that of PD0325901. PEGylation increased the IC50 value of 9f three-fold in the A375 assay...

Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol found in grapes and red wine. It has been found to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Resveratrol also inhibits the growth of various tumor cell lines in vitro and inhibits carcinogenesis in vivo. In this study we examined the effect of resveratrol on growth of two human melanoma cell lines. We found that this plant polyphenol inhibited growt...