Evaluation of in vitro antiproliferative activity of AuDMAP complex on melanoma skin tumors

Abstract

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that target melanocytes, appearing in the form of moles, spots or dots, usually in the skin or mucous membranes. Considered the most lethal subtype of skin cancer, melanoma has been raising concerns due to its rapidly growing trend, specially in the West. Melanoma treatment is based on surgical resection, although advanced cancer stages require therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Regarding chemoterapy, metallodrugs, metals and their compounds have historically been used in cancer treatment. Cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs have been the standard metal-based treatment, but side effects such as neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity and the development of drug resistance raise the need of exploring alternative compounds. In this context, golden-based drugs emerge as promising alternatives, due to their greater chemical stability, lower toxicity against healthy cells via topic administration and cytotoxic activity towards platinum-resistant tumor cells. This research will investigate the antiproliferative effect of AuDMAP, a gold (I) complex with triphenylphosphine and 4-dimethylaminapyridine ligand. Previous research from our group has revealed a positive antiproliferative activity against UACC-62 melanoma cell line. We now hope to confirm its effect on melanoma SK-MEL-28 and A-375 lines, while monitoring its toxicity against non-tumoral 3T3 cells.