Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
Advanced malignant melanoma responds to Prunus mume Sieb. Et Zucc (Ume) extract: Case report and in vitro study
Shigeto Matsushita1, Ko-Ichi Tada, Ko-Ichi Kawahara
1Department of Dermatology, Field of Sensory Organology, and.
Abstract:
Malignant melanoma (MM) is an aggressive chemoresistant skin cancer characterized by rapid metastasis and a poor prognosis. Therefore, the development of innovative effective therapies is critical. MK615 is an extract from the Japanese apricot Prunus mume Sieb. Et Zucc (Ume). At a neutral pH, it contains natural chemical substances such as triterpenoids that exert anti-neoplastic effects in several types of cancers. We found that in patients with advanced MM, MK615 dramatically suppressed the cutaneous in-transit metastasis of the disease. Pre- and post-treatment comparison of tumors showed that the apoptotic index was significantly increased by MK615. In vitro studies, MTT assay, flow cytometric cell cycle analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that MK615 inhibited the growth of SK-MEL28 cells in a dose-dependent manner, increased the proportion of cells in sub-G1 phase and induced apoptosis. We further examined the expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). RAGE is a multi-ligand receptor that binds to a novel cytokine, high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), as well as advanced glycation end products. There is evidence that RAGE/HMGB1 interactions enhance cell invasion in MM. Here, we present Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy data indicating that MK615 inhibited the expression of RAGE in SK-MEL28 cells, and suppressed the release of HMGB1 by SK-MEL28 cells. Our findings suggest that MK615 may be a valuable tool for treating MM and other malignant tumors.
Insights
MK615, a Japanese apricot extract, effectively reduced metastasis in advanced malignant melanoma (MM) patients. It significantly increased cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited key proteins involved in tumor invasion.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Dermatology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma (MM) is an aggressive skin cancer with poor prognosis due to chemoresistance and rapid metastasis.
- Developing novel, effective therapies for advanced MM is a critical unmet need.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-neoplastic effects of MK615, an extract from Japanese apricot (Prunus mume), on malignant melanoma.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying MK615's action, focusing on apoptosis and the RAGE/HMGB1 pathway.
Main Methods:
- Clinical observation of advanced MM patients treated with MK615, including tumor analysis.
- In vitro studies using SK-MEL28 melanoma cells: MTT assay, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy.
Main Results:
- MK615 significantly suppressed cutaneous in-transit metastasis in advanced MM patients.
- MK615 induced apoptosis in melanoma cells in vivo and in vitro, increasing the apoptotic index.
- MK615 inhibited cell growth, arrested the cell cycle, and reduced the expression and release of RAGE and HMGB1, respectively.
Conclusions:
- MK615 demonstrates significant anti-metastatic and anti-proliferative effects in malignant melanoma.
- The anti-cancer activity of MK615 is mediated, in part, by the downregulation of the RAGE/HMGB1 pathway.
- MK615 shows potential as a valuable therapeutic agent for MM and other cancers.
