Cancer is a major public
health problem throughout the world. It is estimated that one third of the
American population will develop the disease at some time during their
lifetimes. Among these, melanoma will account for 7% of the cases. In Brazil,
in 2012, it is estimated that over six thousand new melanoma cases occurred.
During recent years, the incidence of melanoma has increased, mainly due to a
more constant exposure of the skin to sunlight. In this work, our aim is to
assess the expression of apoptotis-related genes melanoma tumors in mice
treated with Viscum album (VA). This
will allow us to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor
cell death activation caused by this compound. Our results clearly demonstrate
upregulation of pro apoptotic genes (Trp53bp2, Nol3, Fadd, Tnfsf10, Traf1, Traf2, Cflar, Card10, Nod1, Casp 2, Casp7, Xiap, Dad1, and Dffb). Further
bioinformatics-based tool analysis allowed us to assess which specific cell
death-related intracellular pathways were activated by VA treatment. Two major
effects of VA in melanoma cells could be observed: generation of an
immunomudulatory Th-1 like action, recruiting several interleukines, and cell
death activation through Caspase7, associated uspstream with Card10 and
downstream with CAD. In summary, VA modulates apoptosis related genes in cancer
melanoma cells. Although a deeper study should be conducted, VA seems to
interfere with important signaling pathways within melanoma cells that control
the cellular mechanisms of apoptosis activation. Therapeutic approaches using
VA as an antineoplastic and adjuvant medication compounding should be
considered.