Preclinical Evaluation of Labetalol for Cutaneous Melanoma Drug Repurposing: Cytotoxic Activity in A375 Cells and Mitochondria-Associated Apoptotic Signaling.
Background and Objectives: Drug repurposing provides an opportunity to identify anticancer activities among established pharmacological agents. Labetalol (LB), an α1- and non-selective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, has been insufficiently investigated in melanoma. This study evaluated the potential anti-melanoma activity of LB in A375 human melanoma cells, compared its effects with those observed in HaCaT immortalized non-tumoral keratinocytes, and investigated the cellular mechanisms associated with LB-induced cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods: A375 and HaCaT cells were exposed to 75-500 μM LB for 24 h. Cell viability and lysosomal dye retention were assessed using MTT and NRU assays. A DMSO-only concentration series (0.075-0.50% v/v) was additionally evaluated by MTT in both cell lines. Mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial staining patterns, nuclear morphology, cytoskeletal organization, caspase-3/7 and caspase-9 activities, and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated using JC-1, MitoTracker Red CMXRos, immunofluorescence, luminescence-based caspase assays, and AO/PI staining. The acute irritation potential of 500 μM LB was assessed using the HET-CAM assay. Results: DMSO alone did not significantly reduce viability over the investigated concentration range in either cell line. LB reduced A375 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, with a 24 h IC50 of 422.5 μM and a viability of 33.61% at 500 μM. Under the same experimental conditions, HaCaT viability remained at 89.01% at 500 μM, and an IC50 was not reached within the investigated concentration range. At the highest concentration, neutral red uptake and the JC-1 aggregate/monomer ratio decreased to approximately 33% and 24% of the corresponding control values, respectively. The apoptotic index increased from approximately 3% in control cells to 31%, while caspase-3/7 and caspase-9 activities increased to approximately 482% and 324% of the control. Qualitative imaging demonstrated mitochondrial staining redistribution, cytoskeletal disorganization, apoptosis-associated morphology, and loss of plasma membrane integrity at higher concentrations. In the HET-CAM assay, 500 μM LB produced a mean irritation score of 0.71 ± 0.27, within the non-irritant range. Conclusions: LB displayed concentration-dependent in vitro cytotoxicity in A375 melanoma cells, whereas HaCaT keratinocytes showed limited changes under the investigated conditions. LB treatment was also associated with mitochondria-associated apoptotic signaling in A375 cells. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting further investigation of LB within a melanoma-directed drug-repurposing strategy. Additional studies are required to establish receptor dependence, achievable local exposure, safety, and translational relevance.
Authors
Dahma Dahma, Moacă Moacă, Predescu Predescu, Dragomir Dragomir, Iftode Iftode, Iurciuc Iurciuc, Haj Ali Haj Ali, Macaşoi Macaşoi, Sala-Cîrtog Sala-Cîrtog, Crintea Crintea, Tănase Tănase, Dinuţi Dinuţi
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