Objective The treatment of metastatic melanoma by conventional chemotherapeutic agents remains unsatisfactory. The present study was undertaken to reveal the role of co-inhibition of survival signaling pathways in apoptosis of melanoma cells. Methods A panel of human melanoma cell lines and fresh melanoma isolates was assessed for their sensitivity to the MEK inhibitor U0126 and/or AKT inhibitor LY294002. The proliferation and apoptosis of the cells were examined after treatment with the inhibitors. Results Constitutive activation of ERK1/2 and AKT was closely related to concentrations of serum in the culture medium (extracellular signals). The sensitivity of melanoma cells to apoptosis induced by inhibition of MEK/ERK was not correlated with the active BRAF mutation (BRAFV600E. Inhibition of MEK/ERK predominantly induced apoptosis; whereas inhibition of PI3K/AKT primarily inhibited proliferation. Co-inhibition of MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT synergistically induced apoptosis. Conclusion Co-targeting MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways may further improve treatment for melanoma.
