Lung cancer, including lung metastatic
cancer, remains one of the most difficult types of
cancer to treat. Therefore, the search for new agents for its treatment is very important.
10-Hydroxycamptothecin (
HCPT) was proved to have ideal anticancer activity in curing series
cancer cells. In this study, the anticancer effect of
HCPT on
melanoma lung
metastasis cancer was investigated by several administration routes, and whether the effect may be attributed to the induction of
tumor cells apoptosis was determined. MTT assay results showed that
HCPT exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against B16-F10 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.
Hoechst 33258 staining and transmission electron microscopy showed typical apoptotic morphology such as condensed
chromatin, irregular nuclei, and apoptotic body formation. Flow cytometry analysis indicated a growth on apoptotic cells and a cell-cycle arrest in S phase
after treatment with
HCPT. In vivo
melanoma pulmonary
metastases were inhibited by treatment with
HCPT. A more significant inhibition was observed if
HCPT was administered by
aerosol inhalation than that given by i.v. or i.p. administration. Thus,
HCPT exhibited potential anticancer activity against B16-F10 cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the possible mechanisms involved still need to be investigated to explain this behavior.