6-Deoxy-6-bromo-ascorbic acid inhibits growth of mouse melanoma cells

The influence of 6-deoxy-6-bromo-ascorbic acid (6-Br-AA) and ascorbic acid (AA) on the growth of mouse melanoma cell line B16, mouse fibroblasts (L929), and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells was examined by in vitro experiments. 6-Br-AA was added in concentrations 10(-1) to 10(-8)M and for incubation periods of 2, 18, 24 and 72 h. The present results indicate that 6-Br-AA exhibits a highly pronounced inhibiting effect on growth and DNA synthesis of melanoma cells. Inhibitory effect of 6-Br-AA was confirmed by the in vivo experiments. The tumor-suppressing effect on solid melanoma B16 was attained with 9 mg per mouse given three times daily for 16 days. Our preliminary results indicate that 6-Br-AA could serve as a potential antitumor agent.