Chlorpromazine reduces UV-induced squamous cell carcinogenesis in hairless mice and enhances UV-induced DNA damage in cultured cells

• Published in: British journal of cancer Vol. 60; no. 2; pp. 220 - 222
• Main Authors: PEAK, M. J, PFAFF, M, PERAINO, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 01.08.1989
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - etiology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - prevention & control; Cells, Cultured; Chemical agents; Chlorpromazine - pharmacology; DNA Damage; DNA, Neoplasm - drug effects; DNA, Neoplasm - radiation effects; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Skin Neoplasms - etiology; Skin Neoplasms - prevention & control; Tumors; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; Squamous cell carcinoma; Nitrosoureas; Photoactivation; Rodentia; Phenothiazine derivatives; Carcinogenesis; In vitro; Long term; Prevention; In vivo; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Ultraviolet irradiation; Mouse; Animal; DNA; Tumor; Lesion; Mechanism of action
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1989.255

Administration of the photoactivable compound chlorpromazine (CPZ) to SKH-1 hairless mice via their drinking water (CPZ, 0.01%) significantly reduced the rates of accumulation and yields of squamous cell carcinomas induced by long-term repeated exposures of these animals to solar UV radiation. This protective effect of CPZ was partially reversed in mice given a single injection of ethyl nitrosourea at birth. In in vitro studies, the presence of CPZ (0.2 mM) in mammalian cell cultures enhanced the yield of DNA single-strand breaks induced in the cells by exposure to monochromatic UVA radiation at 334 nm. Collectively, the results suggest that CPZ may exert antineoplastic effects against UV-induced skin tumours by the induction of DNA damage.