Effect of halothane on intercellular adhesion molecule-l (ICAM-I) in melanoma cells

Abstract

There have only been a few reports relating to the effect of inhalational anesthetics on the tumor cell morphology in cancer patients undergoing surgery. We hypothesized that some anesthetic agents might influence the spread of unresectable cancer cells and might additionally worsen the condition of the patient due to depressed host immune surveillance. We therefore evaluated the influence of halothane on tumor cell adhesion, which is closely linked to tumor cell metastasis. Human melanoma cells from SK-MEL-37 cell-line were exposed to 4% halothane for 3, 6, 12 or 24 hours, respectively. Furthermore, after 24 hours halothane exposure, they were incubated in a 5% CO2 atmosphere for 12 or 24 hours. The cells were then analyzed using a fluorescence flowcytometer and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in SK-MEL-37 cells was quantified as the intensity of fluorescence of ICAM-1 expressed in 10,000 cells. ICAM-1 expression in cells exposed to halothane for 3, 6, 12 or 24 hours was lower than that of non-exposed cells and returned to control level after further incubation in 5% CO2 atmosphere for either 12 or 24 hours. We conclude that halothane might affect the progression of tumor cell metastasis in vitro.

Volatile Anesthetics Regulate Anti-Cancer Relevant Signaling

“…In human melanoma SK-MEL-37 cells, 4% halothane incubation for 3, 6, 12, or 24 h was demonstrated to perform lower ICAM-1 expression. Thus it was concluded that halothane possessed tumor metastasis inhibiting property by down-regulating ICAM-1 expression in vitro (83).…”

<p>The Role of Inhaled Anesthetics in Tumorigenesis and Tumor Immunity</p>

“…58 Conversely, comparing the two groups of treatments with or without halothane, halothane reduced the adhesion effect of tumor cell and promoted the metastasis of melanoma cell by downregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression. 59 Other Inhaled Anesthetics and Cancer N 2 O and Cancer N 2 O inhibited leukemia cell growth and induced cell apoptosis by attenuating the activity of vitamin B12 and the production of methionine synthase. 60 In line with that, when ovarian cancer cells were exposed to N 2 O, it showed a tendency toward a decreased cell growth but existed no significant difference.…”

Influence of Volatile Anaesthetics on Lung Cells and Lung Surfactant

“…These data allow speculating that at least one of the toxic effects of halothane is due to a decreased phosphorilation of the focal contact proteins (58). Other members of the halogenated anaesthetic family are also known to suppress cell adhesion and to disrupt cluster-like organization of cell adhesive receptors in the plasma membrane (2,33).…”