RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Development of a Novel Experimental In Vitro Model of Isothiocyanate-induced Apoptosis in Human Malignant Melanoma Cells JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 6303 OP 6309 VO 36 IS 12 A1 THEODORA MANTSO A1 ARISTEIDIS P. SFAKIANOS A1 AITHNE ATKINSON A1 IOANNIS ANESTOPOULOS A1 MELINA MITSIOGIANNI A1 SOTIRIOS BOTAITIS A1 SEBACHEDIN PERENTE A1 CONSTANTINOS SIMOPOULOS A1 STAVROS VASILEIADIS A1 RODRIGO FRANCO A1 AGLAIA PAPPA A1 MIHALIS I. PANAYIOTIDIS YR 2016 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/36/12/6303.abstract AB Background: Isothiocyanates are constituents of cruciferous vegetables which have been associated with reduced cancer risk partially through their ability to induce apoptosis in malignant cells including melanoma. Materials and Methods: We have utilized human malignant melanoma (A375), epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and immortalized keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells exposed to various isothiocyanates, under different experimental conditions. Results: An experimental in vitro model utilizing low isothiocyanate concentrations (0.1-5 μM for 48 h with all treatments being refreshed after 24h) was shown to be (i) most efficient in exerting an anti-cancer effect when compared to higher concentrations (5-100 μM for 24 or 48 h added as a single bolus) and (ii) specific to A375 cells while A431 and HaCaT cells remained unaffected. Such effect involved the activation of several caspases including (iii) initiator caspases 8, 9, 4 (indicating the involvement of intrinsic, extrinsic and endoplasmic reticulum-based pathways) and (iv) effector caspases 3, 7 and 6. Conclusion: Utilization of low isothiocyanate concentrations (under the conditions described herein) exerts an anti-cancer effect specific to human malignant melanoma cells thus providing a therapeutic basis for their utilization in management of the disease.