Effect of dicarboxylic (C, and C,) acids on a human squamous carcinoma cell line in culture

Abstract

In tissue culture, azelaic acid (C,) has been shown to have an anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effect on human and murine malignant melanocytes, with inhibition of mitochondrial oxido-reductase enzymes and DNA synthesis, and damage to mitochondria. Recent reports of effects on differentiation of normal keratocytes have led to the present study of its effects on a squamous carcinoma cell line. Cells were exposed to single doses of disodium salts of azelaic (CY2Na) and adipic (C,2Na) acids at concentrations of 10-,M and 5 x 10p2M for 48 hrs. Only C,2Na at 5 x 1OP2M for 4 hrs., and longer, significantly affected proliferation, and the cells exhibited massive swelling 6f mitochondria with loss of cristae. The results further confirm the probable value of azelaic acid as a general anti-tumoral agent rather than a specifically melanocytotoxic one. They could justify clinical studies on the effect of topical azelaic acid therapy on squamous cell carcinoma in vivo.