Resveratrol Can Differentiate Human Melanoma Stem-like Cells from Spheroids Treated With All-trans Retinoic Acid

Mina Kanai1, Akiho Shinagawa1,2, Masako Ota3

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Bromacology, Graduate School of Food Life Sciences, Toyo University, Gunma, Japan.

Anticancer Research
|December 3, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Resveratrol (RS) enhances all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy for resistant malignant melanoma (MM) stem-like cells. This combination targets cancer stemness markers and promotes melanocyte differentiation, offering a promising MM treatment strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Malignant melanoma (MM) stem-like cells drive therapy resistance.
  • All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) shows promise for eradicating these cells, but resistance occurs.
  • Resveratrol (RS), a natural compound, is investigated for its potential to overcome ATRA resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if resveratrol (RS) can improve the efficacy of ATRA in treating MM stem-like cells.
  • To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms by which RS affects MM stem-like cell response to ATRA.

Main Methods:

  • Established MM stem-like cells using a spheroid model of the A375 cell line.
  • Assessed the effects of RS alone and in combination with ATRA on cancer stemness, cell viability, and protein expression.
  • Analyzed key stemness markers (CD133, OCT4, CD271, ABCG2) and differentiation markers (SOX9, SOX10).

Main Results:

  • RS and ATRA combination therapy augmented docetaxel's effects and significantly inhibited stemness markers.
  • The combination increased melanocyte differentiation marker SOX9 and suppressed dedifferentiation marker SOX10.
  • RS alone upregulated retinoic acid receptor beta (RARβ) and downregulated DNMT1, EZH2, and BMI-1, explaining enhanced ATRA differentiation effects.

Conclusions:

  • Resveratrol (RS) can attenuate the resistance of malignant melanoma (MM) stem-like cells to ATRA.
  • Combined application of ATRA and RS presents a promising therapeutic strategy for MM treatment.