4-Methylumbelliferone inhibits tumour cell growth and the activation of stromal hyaluronan synthesis by melanoma cell-derived factors.

4-MU is a potent inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis, induction of stromal hyaluronan accumulation by tumour cells, and fibroblast and melanoma cell proliferation, and results suggest that 4-MU may have potential as a tumour cell anti-invasive and antiproliferative agent.