Effect of arsenic trioxide on the growth and apoptosis of human malignant melanoma cell line A375

Objective To study the growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-trigering effect of arsenic trioxide on the human malignant melanoma cell line A375. Methods MTT and morphologic change of the cells were used to reflect the proliferation of A375 human malignant melanoma cells. The morphological changes and apoptotic characteristic of the cell were observed by transmission electron microscope. The changes of cell cycle and DNA content were examined by flow cytometry. Results Cell growth was significantly inhibited by different concentrations(1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 μmol/L) of arsenic trioxide. The inhibitory rate was related with As2O3 concentration and incubation time. A375 cell line treated by As2O3 with 4 μmol/L appeared typical apoptotic morphology in 72 hours. Aneuploid peak(AP) detected by flow cytometry was shown. Conclusion Arsenic trioxide can inhibit growth of the human malignant melanoma cell line A375 and induce apoptosis of it.