Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to examine the influence of thalidomide on the growth and angiogenesis of melanoma. These results would be hoped to elicit a novel approach to the clinical treatment of melanoma. METHODS: Thirty-five C57 mice of the melanoma transplanted model was lavage by thalidomide and 0.5% CMC. The vasculogenic mimicry, mosaic vessel, endothelial dependent vessel and necrosis ratio of tumor were measured by H&E staining. The expression level of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF, NF-κB and PCNA were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The tumor volume of experiment group was statistically significantly decreased compared with the control group（P<0.05）. The vasculogenic mimicry, mosaic vessel and endothelial dependent vessel count in experiment group were statistically significantly decreased compared with the control group（P<0.05）. The necrosis ratio of tumor was increased compared with the control group（P<0.05）. The expression level of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF, NF-κB and PCNA of experiment group tumor tissues were statistically significantly decreased compared with the control group（P<0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: Thalidomide could inhibit the vasculogenic mimicry, mosaic vessel and endothelial dependent vessel information, induce necrosis to inhibit tumor growth.

Key words: Thalidomide, Melanoma, Vasculogenic mimicry, Mosaic vessel, Endothelial dependent vessel, NF-κB