Molecular networks in melanoma invasion and metastasis.

Metastatic melanoma accounts for approximately 80% of skin cancer-related deaths. Up to now there has been no effective treatment for stage IV melanoma patients due to the complexity and dissemination potential of this disease. Melanomas are heterogeneous tumors in which conventional therapies fail to improve overall survival.

Nitroxides and a nitroxide-based UV filter have the potential to photoprotect UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts against oxidative damage.

Background: Antioxidants are now being incorporated into sunscreens as additional topical measure for delaying the aging process and reducing photo-damage to skin induced by excessive UVA exposure. UVA radiation reaching the skin leads to the generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) implicated in DNA damage and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) responsible for collagen damage and photo-aging. Nitroxides are a class of compounds endowed with versatile antioxidant activity and recently, nitroxide-based UV filters in which a nitroxide moiety has been attached to the most popular UV filter present in sunscreens have been developed.

Modified TiO(2) particles differentially affect human skin fibroblasts exposed to UVA light.

Numerous sunscreens contain titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) because of its ability to reflect, scatter, and absorb UV radiation, thus preventing sunlight-related skin disorders. Since TiO(2) is well known to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under photoexcitation, it is chemically modified when used in sunscreens. In the present study, five modified TiO(2) particles, specifically developed and marketed for sunscreens, were tested using different in vitro models, including cultured human skin fibroblasts (HuDe), to investigate their possible photocatalytic effects following UVA exposure.

Nitroxides are more efficient inhibitors of oxidative damage to calf skin collagen than antioxidant vitamins.

Reactive oxygen species generated upon UV-A exposure appear to play a major role in dermal connective tissue transformations including degradation of skin collagen. Here we investigate on oxidative damage to collagen achieved by exposure to (i) UV-A irradiation and to (ii) AAPH-derived radicals and on its possible prevention using synthetic and natural antioxidants. Oxidative damage was identified through SDS-PAGE, circular dichroism spectroscopy and quantification of protein carbonyl residues.