Effect of retinoic acid on the infiltration of murine melanoma cells into the type I collagen gel.

Two lines of murine melanoma cells (B16 and Cloudman S91) were cultured on type I collagen gel and the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid on the growth and infiltration into the gel were assayed. In both lines, proliferation and the degree of infiltration were suppressed by the addition of all-trans-retinoic acid. The infiltration-inhibiting effect was expressed very rapidly and was dose-dependent at concentrations ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-5) M of all-trans-retinoic acid. These results suggest the anti-invasive effects of all-trans-retinoic acid on melanoma cells.