Hyperpigmentary disorders--mechanisms of action. Effect of azelaic acid on melanoma and other tumoral cells in culture.

Azelaic acid has been shown to have a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on both proliferation and cell viability of murine and human melanoma cells at a concentration of 10(-3) M and higher. It also has an inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis and plasminogen activator activity, and causes swelling and vacuolation of mitochondria. These effects have also been observed with other tumoral cells in culture-lymphoma and leukaemia derived cell lines, and human squamous cell carcinoma. Normal cells in culture are not generally affected by exposure to azelaic acid. Tissue culture experiments have confirmed the clinical activity and efficacy of azelaic acid, and biochemical conclusions as to its mode of action.