Comment

Due to metastasis, melanoma causes the most skin cancer-related deaths. MMPs, VEGF, ki 67 (proliferative protein), and constituents of ECM play critical roles in neoplastic invasion and metastasis. We found that nutrient supplemented (NM 0.5%) nude mice with melanoma xenografts developed significantly smaller tumors than did the control group of nude mice accompanied by reduced tumor tissue MMP-9 and VEGF levels and reduced mitotic index. These findings were supported by in vitro studies on melanoma A2058 cells that demonstrated NM inhibition of MMP-9 and MMP-2 secretion and dose-dependent inhibition in Matrigel invasion by these cells. Morphology was not affected even at the highest concentration of NM. These results are important as they indicate tumor growth and metastatic parameters are reduced with use of the non-toxic nutrient mixture, offering a potentially safe and effective therapeutic agent in treatment of melanoma.