(Bu3Sn)4TPPS and (Bu2Sn)2TPPS significantly inhibit the growth, migrationand tumorigenicity of human malignant melanoma cells

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancers, it is responsible worldwidefor the 80% of skin cancer related deaths which is largely due to its propensity to metastasize to other organs.The growing understanding of the pathways involved in melanoma progression and development has led tothe identification of some interesting new molecules, however, the treatment options for metastaticmelanoma remain limited. Indeed, the key step in metastasis development is the tumour cell invasion of thenearby host tissue and the journey powerfully depends on the detachment of single tumour cells from theprimary tumour. Therefore, the ability to block the migratory and invasive capacity of tumour cells offers anew approach to treating patients with malignant disease. In this contest, the aim of our work was tounderstand the consequences on melanoma metastatic progression and migration of the treatment with verylow concentrations of two organotin(IV) complexes of the meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine, the(Bu3Sn)4TPPS and the (Bu2Sn)2TPPS. In particular, in treated melanoma cell lines we showed an increaseof cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 or G2/M phase and the inhibition of cell colony formation. Notably, the(Bu3Sn)4TPPS and (Bu2Sn)2TPPS treatment of melanoma cells decreases the expression and activation ofFAK, the expression of BRAF, HLA-DR and STAT3 as well as the cell migration through Boyden chamberswith differential media compartmentalization. The results obtained, suggested that (Bu3Sn)4TPPS and(Bu2Sn)2TPPS could be used as adjuvant therapeutic agents for their role in the regression of melanomamotility and metastatic dissemination