Metastatic MelanomaL Striving to stop the spread

Abstract

Melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin cancer, due to its ability to metastasise (spread). In my study, I tested two compounds, namely L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid on melanoma cells. It was found that both compounds reduced cell growth, activated cell death,induced structural damage and altered organelles (components in cells) that link to cell death in melanoma cells. In addition, L-kynurenine also activated molecules associated with cell death and was shown to be the most potent compound. The next step is to investigate the effects of these compounds on cancer adhesion, which is implicated in cancer metastasis.