Effect of low level laser irradiation with vitamin A on cell viability and apoptosis induction of human skin melanoma

Background: Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer and melanoma is the deadliest kind of skin cancer in the world. Due to enhanced induction of apoptosis and ROS levels, low-level lasers can be utilized to destroy skin cancer cells. Lasers are used to treat some skin lesions. Vitamin A is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer. Vitamin A inhibits the pathway of cancer signals in the skin and suppresses tumor growth. In this study, the combined effect of low-level laser radiation (LLL) and vitamin A on cellular factors of skin melanoma cancer cells was investigated. Methods: An in-vitro interventional laboratory study was performed in the cell culture laboratory of Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute in 2020-2021 (July 2020 to July 2021). First, A375 skin cancer cells were cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS. After preparation and culture of A375 cell lines, different concentrations of vitamin A (1, 5, 50, 100 μM) and LLL energy doses (1, 2, 5, 10 J/cm2) as treatments were done. Combination research of these treatments was performed to eliminate skin melanoma cancer cells. The rate of viability was determined using the MTT test, and the rate of apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry. Results: The results indicated that a low-level laser with energy dosages of two and 5 J/cm2 and vitamin A treatment with a concentration of 50 μM in the A375 skin cancer cell line had the lowest viability and the highest induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, the results of the combination of Vitamin A and LLL treatments showed a synergistic effect with a greater reduction in the viability of skin melanoma cells and a greater amount of apoptosis. Conclusion: In general, vitamin A and Low-level laser diminish the viability of cancer cells. Combination therapy of Low-level laser in the effective dose with vitamin A in optimal concentration provides anti-cancer effects. Further reductions in cancer cell viability caused by vitamin A and low-level laser radiation could pave the way for a novel approach in cancer treatment.