Parthenolide Inhibits Tumor Cell Growth and Metastasis in Melanoma A2058 Cells.

Background: Skin melanoma is a potentially lethal cancer and ranks as the 17th most common cancer worldwide. Overcoming resistance to advanced-stage melanoma is a significant challenge in its treatment. Parthenolide (PAR) is recognized as a potent anticancer small molecule, yet its potential in treating melanoma is poorly investigated.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate the apoptotic and anti-metastatic properties of PAR against the A2058 melanoma cells in vitro.

Methods: This study employed various assays, such as cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mRNA expressions, western blotting, gelatin zymography, and scratch assay. The synergy between PAR and dacarbazine, a chemotherapy drug for treating skin cancer, was also assessed.

Results: Our study revealed that PAR significantly reduced the viability of A2058 cancer cells, demonstrating greater potency against cancer cells compared to normal L929 cells (IC50: 20 μM vs. 27 μM after 24h). PAR increased ROS production, elevated mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and NME1 genes, and decreased expression of the MITF gene. PAR induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in A2058 cells, as evidenced by the increased proportion of cells in the late apoptotic phase and sub-G1 cell cycle arrest. MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expressions, gelatinase activity, and the migration of A2058 cells were also decreased by PAR, suggesting its potential to suppress cancer cell invasion.

Conclusion: These results, along with the synergic effect with dacarbazine, indicated that PAR may have the potential to be a therapeutic drug for melanoma by triggering apoptosis and suppressing invasion and migration.