Quiescence in S-phase and G1 arrest induced by irradiation and/or hyperthermia in six human tumour cell lines of different p53 status

Quantifying cell death induced by doxorubicin, hyperthermia or HIFU ablation with flow cytometry

Triggered release and targeted drug delivery of potent anti-cancer agents using hyperthermia-mediated focused-ultrasound (FUS) is gaining momentum in the clinical setting. In early phase studies, tissue biopsy samples may be harvested to assess drug delivery efficacy and demonstrate lack of instantaneous cell death due to FUS exposure. We present an optimised tissue cell recovery method and a cell viability assay, compatible with intra-cellular doxorubicin. Flow cytometry was used to determine levels of cell death with suspensions comprised of: (i) HT29 cell line exposed to hyperthermia (30 min at 47 °C) and/or doxorubicin, or ex-vivo bovine liver tissue exposed to (ii) hyperthermia (up to 2 h at 45 °C), or (iii) ablative high intensity FUS (HIFU). Flow cytometric analysis revealed maximal cell death in HT29 receiving both heat and doxorubicin insults and increases in both cell granularity (p < 0.01) and cell death (p < 0.01) in cells recovered from ex-vivo liver tissue exposed to hyperthermia and high pressures of HIFU (8.2 MPa peak-to-peak free-field at 1 MHz) relative to controls. Ex-vivo results were validated with microscopy using pan-cytokeratin stain. This rapid, sensitive and highly quantitative cell-viability method is applicable to the small masses of liver tissue typically recovered from a standard core biopsy (5-20 mg) and may be applied to tissues of other histological origins including immunostaining.

Immunogenic Effect of Hyperthermia on Enhancing Radiotherapeutic Efficacy

Hyperthermia is a cancer treatment where tumor tissue is heated to around 40 °C. Hyperthermia shows both cancer cell cytotoxicity and immune response stimulation via immune cell activation. Immunogenic responses encompass the innate and adaptive immune systems, involving the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and T cells. Moreover, hyperthermia is commonly used in combination with different treatment modalities, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, for better clinical outcomes. In this review, we will focus on hyperthermia-induced immunogenic effects and molecular events to improve radiotherapy efficacy. The beneficial potential of integrating radiotherapy with hyperthermia is also discussed.

The Effects of Thermal Preconditioning on Oncogenic and Intraspinal Cord Growth Features of Human Glioma Cells

The adult rodent spinal cord presents an inhibitory environment for donor cell survival, impeding efficiency for xenograft-based modeling of gliomas. We postulated that mild thermal preconditioning may influence the fate of the implanted tumor cells. To test this hypothesis, high-grade human astrocytoma G55 and U87 cells were cultured under 37C and 38.5C to mimic regular experimental or core body temperatures of rodents, respectively. In vitro, the 38.5C-conditioned cells, relative to 37C, grew slightly faster. Compared to U87 cells, G55 cells demonstrated a greater response to the temperature difference. Hyperthermal culture markedly increased production of Hsp27 in most G55 cells, but only promoted transient expression of cancer stem cell marker CD133 in a small cell subpopulation. We subsequently transplanted G55 cells following 37C or 38.5C culture into the C2 or T10 spinal cord of adult female immunodeficient rats (3 rats/each locus/per temperature; total: 12 rats). Systematic analyses revealed that 38.5C-preconditioned G55 cells grew more malignantly at either C2 or T10 as determined by tumor size, outgrowth profile, resistance to bolus intratumor administration of 5-fluorouracil (0.1 mol), and posttumor survival (p0.05; n=6/group). Therefore, thermal preconditioning of glioma cells may be an effective way to influence the in vitro and in vivo oncological contour of glioma cells. Future studies are needed for assessing the potential oncogenic modifying effect of hyperthermia regimens on glioma cells.

Inhibition of mTOR promotes hyperthermia sensitivity in SMMC-7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a critical mediator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mTOR signaling pathway, and mTOR activity is induced following heat shock. Thermotherapy is used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of mTOR in modulating thermosensitivity in HCC has yet to be elucidated. In the present study, the antisense plasmid pEGFP-C1-mTOR was transfected into SMMC-7721 cells, and the expression levels of mTOR were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The thermal responses of the transfected cells were also examined. The results revealed that SMMC-7721 cells were sensitive to heat treatment, and cell viability was significantly inhibited following hyperthermia treatment (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of mTOR decreased post-transfection. Cell proliferation, colony-forming ability and motility were all significantly decreased following hyperthermia treatment in the transfected cells. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that apoptosis was significantly increased following treatment (P<0.01). The number of cells in S phase was increased, and the cell cycle was arrested in S phase. In conclusion, inhibition of mTOR increased the thermosensitivity of SMMC-7721 cells by increasing cellular apoptosis and inducing S phase arrest.

Paracrine effects of mesenchymal stem cells induce senescence and differentiation of glioblastoma stem-like cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) displays high resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, due to the presence of a fraction of GBM stem-like cells (GSLCs), which are thus representing the target for GBM elimination. Since mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display high tumor tropism, we examined possible antitumor effects of the secreted factors from human MSCs on four GSLC lines (NCH421k, NCH644, NIB26, and NIB50). We found that conditioned media from bone marrow and umbilical cord-derived MSCs (MSC-CM) mediated cell cycle arrest of GSLCs by downregulating cyclin D1. PCR arrays revealed significantly deregulated expression of 13 genes associated with senescence in NCH421k cells exposed to MSC-CM. Among these, ATM, CD44, COL1A1, MORC3, NOX4, CDKN1A, IGFBP5, and SERPINE1 genes were upregulated, whereas IGFBP3, CDKN2A, CITED2, FN1, and PRKCD genes were found to be downregulated. Pathway analyses in GO and KEGG revealed their association with p53 signaling, which can trigger senescence via cell cycle inhibitors p21 or p16. For both, upregulated expression was proven in all four GSLC lines exhibiting senescence after MSC-CM exposure. Moreover, MSC paracrine signals were shown to increase the sensitivity of NCH421k and NCH644 cells toward temozolomide, possibly by altering them toward more differentiated cell types, as evidenced by vimentin and GFAP upregulation, and Sox-2 and Notch-1 downregulation. Our findings support the notion that MSCs posses an intrinsic ability to inhibit cell cycle and induce senescence and differentiation of GSLCs.

Differential S-phase progression after irradiation of p53 functional versus non-functional tumour cells

Background

Many pathways seem to be involved in the regulation of the intra-S-phase checkpoint after exposure to ionizing radiation, but the role of p53 has proven to be rather elusive. Here we have a closer look at the progression of irradiated cells through S-phase in dependence of their p53 status.

Materials and methods.

Three pairs of tumour cell lines were used, each consisting of one p53 functional and one p53 non-functional line. Cells were labelled with bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) immediately after irradiation, they were then incubated in label-free medium, and at different times afterwards their position within the S-phase was determined by means of flow cytometry.

Results

While in the p53 deficient cells progression through S-phase was slowed significantly over at least a few hours, it was halted for just about an hour in the p53 proficient cells and then proceeded without further delay or even at a slightly accelerated pace.

Conclusions

It is clear from the experiments presented here that p53 does play a role for the progress of cells through the S-phase after X-ray exposure, but the exact mechanisms by which replicon initiation and elongation is controlled in irradiated cells remain to be elucidated.

G2-block after irradiation of cells with different p53 status

BACKGROUND

Although it is clear that functional p53 is not required for radiation-induced G2 block, certain experimental findings suggest a role for p53 in this context. For instance, as we also confirm here, the maximum accumulation in the G2 compartment after X-ray exposure occurs much later in p53 mutants than in wild types. It remains to be seen, however, whether this difference is due to a longer block in the G2 phase itself.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We observed the movement of BrdU-labeled cells through G2 and M into G1. From an analysis of the fraction of labeled cells that entered the second posttreatment cell cycle, we were able to determine the absolute duration of the G2 and M phases in unirradiated and irradiated cells.

RESULTS

Our experiments with four cell lines, two melanomas and two squamous carcinomas, showed that the radiation-induced delay of transition through the G2 and M phases did not correlate with p53 status.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that looking at the accumulation of cells in the G2 compartment alone is misleading when differences in the G2 block are investigated and that the G2 block itself is indeed independent of functional p53.

Transcranial electro-hyperthermia combined with alkylating chemotherapy in patients with relapsed high-grade gliomas: phase I clinical results

Non-invasive loco-regional electro-hyperthermia (EHT) plus alkylating chemotherapy is occasionally used as salvage treatment in the relapse of patients with high-grade gliomas. Experimental data and retrospective studies suggest potential effects. However, no prospective clinical results are available. We performed a single-center prospective non-controlled single-arm Phase I trial. Main inclusion criteria were recurrent high-grade glioma WHO Grade III or IV, age 18-70, and Karnofsky performance score > or = 70. Primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) with the combined regimen. Groups of 3 or 4 patients were treated 2-5 times a week in a dose-escalation scheme with EHT. Alkylating chemotherapy (ACNU, nimustin) was administered at a dose of 90 mg/m(2) on day 1 of 42 days for up to six cycles or until tumor progression (PD) or DLT occurred. Fifteen patients with high-grade gliomas were included. Relevant toxicities were local pain and increased focal neurological signs or intracranial pressure. No DLT occurred. In some patients, the administration of mannitol during EHT or long-term use of corticosteroids was necessary to resolve symptoms. Although some patients showed responses in their primarily treated sites, the pattern of response was not well defined. EHT plus alkylating chemotherapy is tolerable in patients with relapse of high-grade gliomas. Episodes of intracranial pressure were, at least, possibly attributed to EHT but did not cause DLTs. A Phase II trial targeting treatment effects is warranted on the basis of the results raised in this trial.

The effects of 41°C hyperthermia on the DNA repair protein, MRE11, correlate with radiosensitization in four human tumor cell lines

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to determine if reduced availability of the DNA repair protein, MRE11, for the repair of damaged DNA is a basis for thermal radiosensitization induced by moderate hyperthermia. To test this hypothesis, we measured the total amount of MRE11 DNA repair protein and its heat-induced alterations in four human tumor cell lines requiring different heating times at 41 degrees C to induce measurable radiosensitization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (NSY42129, HT29 and HCT15) and HeLa cells were used as the test system. Cells were irradiated immediately after completion of hyperthermia. MRE11 levels in whole cell extract, nuclear extract and cytoplasmic extracts were measured by Western blotting. The nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts were separated by TX100 solubility. The subcellular localization of MRE11 was determined by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

The results show that for the human tumor cell lines studied, the larger the endogenous amount of MRE11 protein per cell, the longer the heating time at 41 degrees C required for inducing measurable radiosensitization in that cell line. Further, the residual nuclear MRE11 protein level, measured in the nuclear extract and in the cytoplasmic extract as a function of heating time, both correlated with the thermal enhancement ratio (TER).

CONCLUSIONS

These observations are consistent with the possibility that delocalization of MRE11 from the nucleus is a critical step in the radiosensitization by moderate hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia induced NFkappaB mediated apoptosis in normal human monocytes

Conceptual approaches of heat-induced cytotoxic effects against tumor cells must address factors affecting therapeutic index, i.e., the relative toxicity for neoplastic versus normal tissues. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of hyperthermia treatment (HT) on the induction of DNA fragmentation, apoptosis, cell-cycle distribution, NFkappaB mRNA expression, DNA-binding activity, and phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha in the normal human Mono Mac 6 (MM6) cells. For HT, cells were exposed to 43 degrees C. FACS analysis showed a 48.5% increase in apoptosis, increased S-phase fraction, and reduced G2 phase fraction after 43 degrees C treatments. EMSA analysis showed a dose-dependent inhibition of NFkappaB DNA-binding activity after HT. This HT-mediated inhibition of NFkappaB was persistent even after 48 h. Immunoblotting analysis revealed dose-dependent inhibition of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation. Similarly, RPA analysis showed that HT persistently inhibits NFkappaB mRNA. These results demonstrate that apoptosis upon HT exposure of MM6 cells is regulated by IkappaBalpha phosphorylation mediated suppression of NFkappaB.

Relative biological effectiveness of 6 MeV neutrons with respect to cell inactivation and disturbances of the G1 phase

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neutrons and other types of densely ionizing radiation appears to be close to 1.0 for the induction of strand breaks, but considerably higher RBEs have been found for cellular end points such as colony-forming ability. This may be due to differences in the processing of strand breaks or to the involvement of other lesions whose yields are more dependent on radiation quality. Because cell cycle delays may be of great importance in the processing of DNA damage, we determined the RBE for disturbances of the G1 phase in four different cell types (Be11 melanoma, 4197 squamous cell carcinoma, EA14 glioma, GM6419 fibroblasts) and compared them with the RBE for cell inactivation. The method we used to determine the progress from G1 into S was as follows: Cells were serum-deprived for a number of days and then stimulated to grow with culture medium containing normal amounts of serum. Immediately before the change of medium, cells were exposed to graded doses of either 240 kV X rays or 6 MeV neutrons. At different times afterward, cells were labeled with BrdU and the numbers of active S-phase cells were assessed using two-parameter flow cytometry. For all four cell types, cells started to progress from G1 into S after a few hours. Radiation suppressed this process in all cases, but there were some interesting differences. For Be11 and 4197 cells, the most obvious effect was a delay in G1; the labeling index increased a few hours later in irradiated samples than in controls, and there was no significant effect on the maximum labeling index. For EA14 and GM6419 cells, although smaller doses were used because of greater radiosensitivity, a delay of the entry into S phase was again noticeable, but the most significant effect was a reduction in the maximum percentage of active S-phase cells after stimulation, indicating a permanent or long-term arrest in G1. The RBE for the G1 delay was the same for all four cell types, about 2.8, while the RBE for the G1 arrest varied between 3.2 for the most resistant Be11 cells and 1.7 for the most sensitive GM6419 cells. This trend was similar to that observed for the RBE for cell inactivation. If, as described above, the same number of strand breaks per dose is induced by neutrons and by X rays, the signal transduction cascade translates them into a greater G1 delay in the case of higher LET. This appears to be independent of repair capacity, because it is similar in all cell types we investigated. We therefore assume that a higher lesion density or the presence of other types of lesions is important for this relatively early effect. A G1 arrest, however, is more closely related to the later events leading to cell inactivation, where strand break repair does play a major role, influencing X-ray sensitivity more strongly than sensitivity to neutrons because of a lower repairability of lesions induced by higher-LET radiation.

Cellular and molecular mechanism and application of hyperthermia for tumor therapy

Hyperthermia is effective in the treatment of neoplasm, but its mechanism remains unclear for a long time. In recent years, great advances were achieved on its mechanism. In vitro and in vivo studies show that heat-induced apoptosis plays a dominant role in mild and moderate hyperthermia while necrosis in serious one. Heat induces apoptosis through mitochondria or/and death receptor pathways, and oxidative stress, intracellular Ca²⁺ increase and some molecules such as p53 and Bax play important roles in this process. Based on this mechanism, new therapies have been investigated and developed, including hyperthermia combined with gene therapy, calcium- and oxidative stress-targeted therapy, or decreasing extracellular pH value, which may remarkably enhance the effect of hyperthermia.

Varying responses of human cells with discrepant p53 activity to ionizing radiation and heat shock exposure

OBJECTIVES

Both heat shock (HS) and ionizing radiation have an impact on the cell cycle and may induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Mutations of the p53 gene are observed at a high frequency in human tumours and are recognized in about half of all human cancers. Sensitivity to radiation, heat and anticancer agents has been observed in p53(+/+) cells, but not in mutated or p53-deficient cells. Moreover, enhancement of radiosensitivity by HS has been observed in wild-type p53 cells but not in p53-deficient cells. The molecular mechanism of the differential cell response to HS or ionizing radiation is not yet understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Differences in cellular response to radiation (200 kV X-ray, 1, 2, 5 Gy) and HS (39 degrees C, 41 degrees C and 43 degrees C for 30 min) on cell cycle progression of cultures of human p53 mutant cells were investigated by flow cytometry. In addition, the effects of stressors used on the expression of several heat shock genes (HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSC70, HSP75, HSP78, HSP90) were studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Yet, with respect to HSP gene expression, different stressors produced similar effects. Combination of HS and radiation treatment significantly induced the transcription of the HSP70 gene above the level induced by each stressor alone. Cell cycle analysis, however, revealed striking differences in prolonged dynamics of cell division in response to each stressor. Thus, p53 status could be a useful indicator in predictive assays for hyperthermia cancer treatment in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Selective DNA damage responses in murine Xpa-/-, Xpc-/- and Csb-/- keratinocyte cultures

Cellular DNA damage responses (DDRs) are induced by unrepaired DNA lesions and constitute a protective back-up system that prevents the expansion of damaged cells. These cellular signaling pathways trigger either growth arrest or cell death and are believed to be major components of an early anti-cancer barrier. Cultures of C57BL/6J keratinocytes with various defects in NER sub-pathways allowed us to follow the kinetics of DDRs in an isogenic background and in the proper (physiologically relevant) target cells, supplementing earlier studies in heterogenic human fibroblasts. In a series of well-controlled parallel experiments we have shown that, depending on the NER deficiency, murine keratinocytes elicited highly selective DDRs. After a dose of UV-B that did not affect wild-type keratinocytes, Xpa(-/-) keratinocytes (complete NER deficiency) showed a rapid depletion of DNA replicating S-phase cells, a transient increase in quiescent S-phase cells (not replicating DNA), followed by massive apoptosis. Csb(-/-) keratinocytes (TC-NER deficient) responded by a more sustained increase in QS-phase cells and appeared more resistant to UV-B induced apoptosis than Xpa(-/-). In irradiated Xpc(-/-) keratinocytes (GG-NER deficient) the loss of replicating S-phase cells was associated with a gradual build-up of both QS-phase cells and cells arrested in late-S phase, in complete absence of apoptosis. Our analysis complements and extends previous in vivo investigations and highlights both similarities and differences with earlier fibroblast studies. In vitro cultures of murine keratinocytes provide a new tool to unravel the molecular mechanisms of UV-induced cellular stress responses in great detail and in a physiologically relevant background. This will be essential to fully appreciate the implications of DDRs in tumor suppression and cancer prevention.

Deacetylase inhibition in malignant melanomas: impact on cell cycle regulation and survival

In the present study the deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) was used to elucidate the effect of protein acetylation on cell cycle progression and survival in seven human malignant melanoma cell lines. It was shown that TSA treatment led to a transient G(2)/M phase delay and accumulation of unphosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRB) in all cases. TSA significantly induced protein expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) in a dose-dependent manner in all cell lines including those not expressing p21(WAF1/CIP1) constitutively, whereas the levels of both wild-type and mutated p53 protein were reduced. The effect on p53 was not a direct result of inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) activation by TSA, as treatment of the cells with the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase-1 (MEK1) inhibitor PD98059 did not result in decreased p53 protein level. Furthermore, TSA treatment led to reduction in cyclin D1 whereas cyclin D3 accumulated, the latter due to increased protein stability. Similarly, cyclin A protein was reduced whereas cyclin E level was elevated. The effect on p27(Kip1), CDK4 and CDK2 was only marginal. In all the examined cell lines, TSA treatment resulted in a profound induction of apoptosis and cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) indicative of caspase activity. Similarly, TSA-mediated apoptosis was reversed by the caspase-inhibitor z-vad-fmk. Altogether, these results suggest that p21(WAF1/CIP1) in melanomas is silenced by deacetylation, and furthermore that inhibition of deacetylation may have potential in anticancer therapy of melanoma patients.

The Response of Malignant B Lymphocytes to Ionizing Radiation: Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Protection against the Cytotoxic Effects of the Mitotic Inhibitor Nocodazole

Ionizing radiation and mitotic inhibitors are used for the treatment of lymphoma. We have studied cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of three human B-lymphocyte cell lines after X irradiation and/or nocodazole treatment. Radiation (4 and 6 Gy) caused arrest in the G(2) phase of the cell cycle as well as in G(1) in Reh cells with an intact TP53 response. Reh cells, but not U698 and Daudi cells with defects in the TP53 pathway, died by apoptosis after exposure to 4 or 6 Gy radiation (>15% apoptotic Reh cells and <5% apoptotic U698/Daudi cells 24 h postirradiation). Lower doses of radiation (0.5 and 1 Gy) caused a transient delay in the G(2) phase of the cell cycle for the three cell lines but did not induce apoptosis (<5% apoptotic cells at 24 h postirradiation). Cells of all three cell lines died by apoptosis after exposure to 1 microg/ml nocodazole, a mitotic blocker that acts by inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin (>25% apoptotic cells after 24 h). When X irradiation with 4 or 6 Gy was performed at the time of addition of nocodazole to U698 and Daudi cells, X rays protected against the apoptosis-inducing effects of the microtubule inhibitor (<5% and 15% apoptotic cells, respectively, 24 h incubation). U698 and Daudi cells apparently have some error(s) in the signaling pathway inducing apoptosis after irradiation, and our results suggest that the arrest in G(2) prevents the cells from entering mitosis and from apoptosis in the presence of microtubule inhibitors. This arrest was overcome by caffeine, which caused U698 cells to enter mitosis (after irradiation) and become apoptotic in the presence of nocodazole (26% apoptotic cells, 24 h incubation). These results may have implications for the design of clinical multimodality protocols involving ionizing radiation for the treatment of cancer.

The combination of adenoviral HSV TK gene therapy and radiation is effective in athymic mouse glioblastoma xenografts without increasing toxic side effects

OBJECT

In mouse models of prostate and breast cancer therapeutic effects are enhanced when adenoviral HSV TK gene therapy is combined with ionizing radiation. In the present study, we adopted this approach for the treatment of human glioblastoma xenografts in an athymic mouse model and assessed treatment results as well as toxic side effects.

METHODS

About 72 nude mice received intracerebral inoculations of 2 x 10(5) U87deltaEGFR cells. On day 7 after tumor implantation the study population was randomized into six treatment arms: (1) intratumoral buffer inoculation on day 7, (2) intratumoral adenoviral vector injection (2 x 10(9) vp) on day 7, (3) single dose radiation (2.1 Gy) on day 9, (4) adenoviral injection + radiation, (5) adenoviral injection + ganciclovir (GCV) (20 microg/g twice daily from day 8 to 17), (6) adenoviral injection + GCV + radiation. On day 21 half of the animals were sacrificed for histological evaluation of the brain tumors, the other half was assessed for survival.

RESULTS

This study showed significantly prolonged median survival time of 5 days for the GCV treated groups. The addition of radiation decreased the frequency of neurological symptoms and delayed the onset of deficits without altering the expression of thymidine kinase in the tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that adenoviral HSV TK gene therapy in combination with adjuvant radiotherapy does not generate increased toxic side effects in glioblastoma treatment. The prolonged survival time of animals receiving gene therapy and the reduced occurrence of neurological symptoms in irradiated mice constitute promising features of the combined treatment.

The effect of Taurolidine on adherent and floating subpopulations of melanoma cells

The annual incidence of malignant melanoma is estimated at 10-12 per 100000 inhabitants in countries of Central Europe and the US, with more recent estimates showing a dramatic upward trend. Taurolidine (Carter/Wallace, Cranberry, NJ) is a novel, potentially effective, antitumor chemotherapeutic agent. We hypothesized that Taurolidine could inhibit the growth, induce apoptosis, affect the cell cycle and change morphology of melanoma cells. We expected this process to be different in adherent and floating subpopulations that may be reflective of solid tumors and their metastases. Analysis of MNT-1 human and B16F10 murine melanoma cells showed that at 72 h the IC(50) of Taurolidine was 25.4+/-3.3 microM for MNT-1 human melanoma cells and 30.9+/-3.6 microM for B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Taurolidine induced DNA fragmentation of melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Taurolidine (75 and 100 microM) induced 52-97% Annexin-V binding (apoptosis), respectively. Evaluation of cell cycle after 72 h exposure to Taurolidine (0-100 microM) revealed that the percentage of melanoma cells in S phase increased from 27 to 40% in the adherent subpopulation and from 33 to 49% in the floating subpopulation. Phase contrast microscopy revealed a marked swelling of melanoma cells and decreasing cell numbers in adherent subpopulation starting at 24 h with 25 microM Taurolidine. Shrinkage of cells dominated at 75-100 microM Taurolidine. Using Cytospin assay in the floating population, we observed swelling of melanoma cells induced by 25-100 micro Taurolidine and appearance of giant (multinuclear) forms resulting from exposure to 75-100 micro Taurolidine. Some floating cells with normal morphology were observed with low concentrations of Taurolidine (0-25 microM). These data show that effects of Taurolidine may be different in adherent and floating subpopulations of melanoma cells. More importantly, floating subpopulations that may contain some viable melanoma cells, may be reflective of potential metastasis after treatment of solid tumors in vivo.