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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model
Published on: May 20, 2019
An in vivo model of melanoma: treatment with ATP
Nicholas White1, Gillian E Knight, Peter E M Butler
1Autonomic Neuroscience Centre, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
Abstract:
Athymic mice, injected with A375 human melanoma cells, were treated daily with intraperitoneal injections of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The tumour volume and animal weight were measured over the course of the experiment and the final tumour nodule weight was measured at the end of the experiment. Tumour volume decreased by nearly 50% by 7 weeks in treated mice. Weight loss in untreated animals was prevented by ATP. Histological examination of the excised tumour nodules showed necrosis in the ATP-treated tumours only. The presence of P2Y(1) and P2X(7) receptors, previously proposed as extracellular targets for melanoma treatment with ATP, were demonstrated in the excised specimens by immunohistochemistry. This paper provides further support for the use of ATP as a treatment for melanoma.
Insights
Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) significantly reduced melanoma tumor volume by nearly 50% in mice. ATP treatment also prevented weight loss and induced tumor necrosis, supporting its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Melanoma is a significant skin cancer with limited treatment options.
- Extracellular adenosine 5 '-triphosphate (ATP) has been investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for melanoma.
- Specific purinergic receptors, P2Y(1) and P2X(7), are implicated as targets for ATP in melanoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of daily intraperitoneal injections of adenosine 5 '-triphosphate (ATP) in a mouse model of human melanoma.
- To assess the impact of ATP treatment on tumor volume, animal weight, and tumor histology.
- To confirm the presence of P2Y(1) and P2X(7) receptors in melanoma tissue.
Main Methods:
- Athymic mice were xenografted with A375 human melanoma cells.
- Mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of ATP.
- Tumor volume, animal weight, and final tumor nodule weight were measured.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect P2Y(1) and P2X(7) receptors in excised tumors.
Main Results:
- ATP treatment led to a nearly 50% decrease in tumor volume by 7 weeks.
- ATP administration prevented the weight loss observed in untreated control mice.
- Histological analysis revealed tumor necrosis exclusively in ATP-treated specimens.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed the expression of P2Y(1) and P2X(7) receptors in the excised melanoma tissues.
Conclusions:
- Adenosine 5 '-triphosphate (ATP) demonstrates significant anti-melanoma activity in vivo.
- ATP treatment effectively reduces tumor growth and induces necrosis in a xenograft model.
- The findings support the potential of ATP as a therapeutic strategy for melanoma, targeting P2Y(1) and P2X(7) receptors.
