Evaluation of Ultrasound-mediated Chemotherapy Treatment Using Dacarbazine on B16F10 Melanoma Cell Line

The use of chemotherapy drugs in combination with ultrasound exposure increases their synergic effect at lower doses. It can play an important role in the treatment of drug-resistant cancers, such as melanoma. Also, in this method, reducing the dose of the drug minimizes side effects on healthy cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-mediated chemotherapy with dacarbazine on malignant cell death and apoptosis induction in melanoma. 

After culturing B16F10 melanoma cells in-vitro, the optimal concentration of dacarbazine was determined by MTT assay. The effect of ultrasound on cell survival was also investigated separately by the same method. In the next step, the cells were treated with the optimal concentration of dacarbazine at intensities of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 w/cm2 and were observed for 3 minutes. After 24 hours MTT assay was used to measure cell viability. The level of apoptosis induction by treatments was also measured using flow cytometry.

The survival rate of melanoma cells treated in combination with dacarbazine and ultrasound at 2 w/cm2showed the greatest decline. Also, the rate of apoptosis at 1.5 w/cm2in combination with dacarbazine increased significantly.

The use of ultrasound in combination with dacarbazine can be effective in improving the response of melanoma to treatment and reduce the overall toxicity to non-cancerous cells.