The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway promotes melanoma tumor growth and survival while suppressing autophagy, a catabolic process through which cells collect and recycle cellular components to sustain energy homeostasis in starvation. Conversely, inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, in particular the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus (CCI-779...

Taxanes have a broad spectrum of activity against various human cancers, including melanoma. In this study, we have examined the molecular mechanism of docetaxel-induced apoptosis of human melanoma. We report that docetaxel induced varying degrees of apoptosis in a panel of melanoma cell lines but not in normal fibroblasts. Induction of apoptosis was caspase dependent and associated with change...

      Current therapies for breast cancer are often limited by short-term efficacy due to the emergence of drug resistance. There has been increased interest in the use of naturally occurring compounds with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects in the treatment of cancers. Saffron, dry stigmas Crocus sativus L., used in Iran as a spice, is known for its anticancer properties. In...

objective(s): hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and apoptosis have key roles in pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. there are local renin-angiotensin systems (rass) in different tissues such as neural tissue. local rass are involved in physiological and pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, proliferation and apoptosis. this study aimed to investigate the role of local renin-angioten...

PURPOSE Heterogeneous sensitivity of melanoma cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis may lead to outgrowth of TRAIL-resistant cells and limit successful treatment by TRAIL. The present study aims to better understand the biological characteristics of melanoma cells resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We generated TRAIL-...

The death ligand TRAIL represents a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic melanoma, however prevalent and inducible resistance limit its applicability. A new approach is presented here for sensitization to TRAIL. It is based on inhibition of the membrane potassium channel KCa3.1 (IK1), which serves fundamental cellular functions related to membrane potential. The selective inhibitor TRA...

Natural products are known to be a continuous source of potential anti-cancer agents due their chemical and biological diversity. This study aimed evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic properties medicinal plants mechanisms action human malignant melanoma cells. The investigated effect extracts on cell cycle, caspase-3/7, apoptosis induction using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, morphological changes lac...

Objective(s): Growing evidences have indicated microRNAs as modulators of tumor development and aggression. On the other hand, a phenomenon known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that indicates a transient phase from epithelial-like features to mesenchymal phenotype is a key player in tumor progression.  In this study, we aimed to assess the potential impacts...