Estimation of DNA damage and cytotoxicity of anthracycline analogs in human melanoma cells on early and late passages.

Human malignant melanoma is a major problem characterized by both rapid rising incidence and strong chemoresistance. The aim of present experiments was to estimate the effects on DNA of new anthracycline analogs in melanoma cells obtained from various patients, cultured on early (E) and late (L) passages. For determination of cytotoxic effect, MTT assay was used and comet assay was used for the detection of DNA damage. The discrepancy between the intensity of DNA damage processes and IC50 values may indicate that there are some critical loci in the genome, responsible for cell death.