Inhibition of human melanoma cell growth by proton irradiation

Abstract

The aim of this work is the in vitro study of human melanoma cell growth modulation after irradiation with protons. Confluent cell monolayers were irradiated with single doses ranging from 1 to 20 Gy, using proton beams having energy of 22.6 MeV at the target. 48 hours after irradiation, cell growth, cell cycle analyses and initiation of cell death were followed. The obtained results were compared with the effects of glucocorticoid hormones. The inhibition of melanoma cell growth was observed, especially after single application of 12 and 16 Gy. Cell cycle analyses of melanomas after proton irradiation, have shown the G2/M arrest of irradiated cells corresponding with the increase of applied dose. The flow cytometric analysis has shown presence of apoptotic nuclei. Glucocorticoid treatment has shown modest melanoma cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and ladder pattern on agarose gel electrophoresis.