Methods for treating melanoma in a subject in need thereof are disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of deoxyelephantopin or an analogue thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of inhibiting proliferation, migration and/or metastasis of melanoma cells in a subject in need thereof are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for reducing side effects of an anti-cancer agent in a subject in need thereof.
