P 032 - Modulation of Melanoma Cell Proliferation and Spreading by Novel Small Molecular Weight Antioxidants

Abstract

Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, originates from the melanocytes and has a high tendency to invade neighboring tissues, and metastasize. Free radicals appear to be involved in the melanocyte transformation and melanoma progression as well as invasion. Consequently, potent antioxidants may prevent transformation and progression of the tumor. We have recently synthesized some small molecular weight antioxidant compounds of eleven different synthetic classes. These compounds were previously found to posses free radical quenching activity in an in vitro antioxidant assay. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to be most potent among them with IC50=42.9 ± 0.31, and 55.6 ± 2.1 µM, respectively, as compared to standard butylated hydroxy toluene with IC50=128.8 ± 2.1 µM. We are now testing these compounds for their intracellular free radical quenching role in skin melanoma cells in vitro and their ability to reduce proliferation and spreading. We are currently analyzing the influence of these compounds on the molecular pathways, involved in the proliferation-invasion inhibition.