Src activation in melanoma and Src inhibitors as therapeutic agents in melanoma

Src signaling has been implicated in several malignancies including melanoma. The prevalence of Src activation in human melanoma and the effect of the newer Src inhibitors, dasatinib, and bosutinib (SKI-606), as single agents or in combination, on melanoma cell lines is not well established. In the melanoma cell lines, A-375, SK-Mel-5, and SK-Mel-28, activity of Src inhibitors was assessed alone or in combination with standard chemotherapy agents; 50% growth inhibitory concentration was determined by MTS assay and immunoblotting was used to measure Src activation and downstream signaling. Staining for Src activation was measured by Src-phosphotyrosine 416. Immunohistochemistry was performed on primary cutaneous, mucosal, and metastatic melanoma. Src inhibitors blocked the growth of melanoma cell lines; furthermore, Src inhibitor treatment was synergized with cisplatin but not temozolomide or paclitaxel. Treatment with dasatanib increased the levels of pS473 Akt in A-375 melanoma cells but not in the other two cell lines. Forty-eight percent (17 of 35) of all melanoma stained weakly, moderately, or strongly for pY416 Src: cutaneous 61% (eight of 13), mucosal 31% (four of 13), metastatic 55% (five of nine). Most positive biopsies stained weakly and only one metastatic melanoma specimen stained strongly for Src-phosphotyrosine 416. pY416 Src is expressed in cutaneous, mucosal, and metastatic melanoma in various degrees. Src inhibitors may be a promising therapy in melanoma, either by themselves or in combination with chemotherapy (especially with platinum compounds) or inhibitors of the Akt/PI3k pathway.