Abstract
Since L-dopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) has been shown to possess a selective toxicity for melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo, we have examined the combined effect of L-dopa and radiation on human melanoma cells. It was found that the combined use of L-dopa potentiated the radiation cytotoxicity to HMV-I human melanoma cells, compared with the response seen in non-melanoma HeLa S3 cells. In HMV-I cells during their exponential phase, L-dopa decreased the shoulder width of the radiation survival curve significantly. In addition, L-dopa significantly inhibited the repair of potentially lethal damage (PLD) in HMV-I cells during their plateau phase. When the distributions of the G1, S, and G2-M cells were measured 24 h after combined L-dopa and radiation treatment, there was significant increase in the accumulation of cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle, compared to cells that received either L-dopa or radiation treatment only.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yamada, I., Seki, S., Ito, S. et al. The effect of L-dopa on the potentiation of radiation damage to human melanoma cells. Br J Cancer 62, 33–36 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1990.224
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1990.224