Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine malignancy showing poor response to a variety of therapeutic strategies. We evaluated the antitumor activity of S-trans, trans-farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS), a new inhibitor of Ras signal transduction, in a newly established SCID mouse xenotransplantation model for human MCC (seven animals per group). FTS injected intraperitoneally at 5 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks up-regulated the tumor suppressor p53 and induced tumor cell apoptosis in established MCCs growing subcutaneously in SCID mice. These effects led to a statistically significant inhibition of MCC growth (P<0.002). The mean tumor weights following FTS or control treatment were 0.32±0.15 g and 1.08±0.29 g, respectively. There was no evidence of FTS related toxicity at the effective dose used. Our findings stress the notion that FTS may qualify as a novel and rational treatment approach for MCC and possibly for other tumors that rely on tyrosine kinase signaling.
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Jansen, B., Heere-Ress, E., Schlagbauer-Wadl, H. et al. Farnesylthiosalicylic acid inhibits the growth of human Merkel cell carcinoma in SCID mice. J Mol Med 77, 792–797 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001099900052
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001099900052