Data from Antagonism of HOX/PBX Dimer Formation Blocks the <i>In vivo</i> Proliferation of Melanoma

Abstract

&lt;div&gt;Abstract&lt;p&gt;Malignant melanoma is a cancer that arises from melanocyte cells in a complex but well-studied process, and which can only be successfully treated prior to metastasis as it is highly resistant to conventional therapies. A number of recent reports have indicated that members of the HOX family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors are deregulated in melanoma, and may actually be required to maintain proliferation. In this report, we describe the use of a novel, cell-permeable antagonist of the interaction between HOX proteins and PBX, a second homeodomain-containing transcription factor that modifies HOX activity. This antagonist can block the growth of murine B16 cells and trigger apoptosis both &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; when administered to mice with flank tumors. [Cancer Res 2007;67(12):5806–13]&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;