Relationship between the melanin content of a human melanoma cell line and its radiosensitivity and uptake of pimonidazole.

The intra-cellular uptake of the weakly basic radiosensitiser pimonidazole (PIMO) was determined as a function of the pigmentation of Na11+ human melanotic melanoma cells in vitro. Two experimental conditions were considered: exponentially growing cells (Exp.) and plateau-phase cells (PI.

Relationship between intracellular concentration and radiosensitizing effect of pimonidazole and etanidazole on two human melanoma cell lines.

A study on the uptake and radiosensitizing properties of pimonidazole (PIMO) and etanidazole (ETA) was made in vitro with two melanoma cell lines: Na11+ and Na11-. The amelanotic Na11- was derived from the pigmented Na11+ cell line and was characterized by the complete absence of pigmentation in vitro. Plateau-phase cells were heavily pigmented for the Na11+ line whereas exponential cells showed a lower melanin content.