Editor’s Choice
Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Dermatology
Article Date: 04 Sep 2010 – 0:00 PDT

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The September cover story of the nation’s leading cancer journal, Cancer Research, features a new study from The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, that links capsaicin, a component of chili peppers, to skin cancer. While the molecular mechanisms of the cancer-promoting effects of capsaicin are not clear and remain controversial, The Hormel Institute has shown a definite connection to formation of skin cancer through various laboratory studies.

Ann Bode, professor in the institute’s Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Section, led the research team on this study along with colleagues Mun Kyung Hwang and Zigang Dong.

Capsaicin, widely consumed worldwide in foods that contain chili peppers, is also used in topical creams for pain relief and its role in cancer development is controversial. Capsaicin has been shown to induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. However, research findings have also shown that it can also act as a carcinogen, especially at the tumor promotion stage.

Bode says the possibility that capsaicin induces inflammation and may affect cancer development is a critical result of the study. “Most notably, the results raise concerns that a natural compound found in hot peppers used in over-the-counter topical pain remedies might increase skin cancer risk,” Bode says.

The study’s key findings include:

• The co-carcinogenic effect of capsaicin appears to be mediated through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and not the transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1), a known pain receptor.
• Topical application of capsaicin on the dorsal skin of wildtype or TRPV1 knockout mice induced tumors in both types but more and larger skin tumors in the knockout mice.
• A known inflammatory enzyme, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was highly elevated following treatment with capsaicin.

Other researchers working with Bode on this study included Sanguine Byun, Nu Ry Song, Hyong Joo Lee and Ki Won Lee.

Funding for this research was provided by The Hormel Foundation, National Cancer Institute and the Korean Research Foundation.

Source:
University of Minnesota

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Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Also Included In: Dermatology
Article Date: 01 Sep 2010 – 6:00 PDT

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A NEW survey released today (Wednesday 1 September) reveals almost half of Brits (46 per cent) got sunburnt this year. Of those who got burnt, a third (32 per cent) admitted their motivation was to get a tan. And half of those who burnt whilst trying to get a tan would risk burning again next year.

The research – commissioned by Superdrug and Cancer Research UK as part of their joint campaign to encourage people to enjoy the sun safely this summer – highlights the worrying lengths sun-seeking Brits are prepared to go to in search of a tan.

Far from being a small price to pay for a tan, sunburn is a sign that your skin cells have been seriously damaged by too much sun. It is this damage that can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.

Even the unpleasant short term side-effects of sunburn – such as red, peeling or blistering skin – haven’t put people off their search for the perfect tan. In fact, 34 per cent of those who admitted to getting sunburnt this year whilst trying to get a tan said that while they would be ‘a bit more careful’ next year, they would still be prepared to risk sunburn for a tan. And of those who got sunburnt, 39 per cent said they burned every year.

The most common place that people got burnt this year was on their face, with 40 per cent admitting they were left red-faced after spending too long in the sun. Getting too much sun can cause premature ageing, making skin look old and leathery before its time – which is surprising because many people seek a tan because they think it will make them look good. This was followed by arms (39 per cent), shoulders (37 per cent) and neck (36 per cent).

Martin Crisp, Superdrug superintendant pharmacist, said: “What’s particularly concerning is that people are setting out with the specific aim of getting sunburn because they see it as part of getting a tan. What they aren’t realising is that there is more going on in the skin than what you see on the surface and, while the sunburn and tan may fade, the damage does not. Put simply, the more time people spend in the sun, the more damage they are doing to their skin, and they should seriously ask themselves whether it’s a risk they’re prepared to take.”

The results also show that two in three people got sunburnt when they were not even trying to get a tan. 41 per cent of these said they didn’t realise the sun was strong enough to burn, while around a third admitted they didn’t take any steps to protect their skin.

Ed Yong, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, says, “Sunburn is a clear sign that your skin has been damaged in ways that can lead to skin cancer, a disease that’s affecting more and more people in the UK. While it’s important to enjoy the sun safely to get enough vitamin D, there are risks involved in long exposures. And these results indicate that people aren’t taking these risks seriously enough. Getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Whether at home or abroad, use shade, clothing and plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself.”

More than 10,300 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed in the UK every year, and almost 2,000 people die from it. Anyone can develop skin cancer but some people have a higher risk including those with fair skin, lots of moles or freckles, a history of sunburn or a family history of skin cancer. Over the last twenty-five years, rates of malignant melanoma in Britain have risen faster than any other common cancer.

That is why Superdrug and Cancer Research UK are working together to encourage people to get to know their skin and how it normally reacts in the sun so they can protect themselves against sunburn. The message is simple – don’t let sunburn catch you out. Use shade, clothing and at least factor 15 sunscreen – the higher the better – applied generously and regularly to protect your skin.

With the British weather looking like it is on the up for the next week at least, Superdrug stores across the country are providing information and advice to customers about sun safety, The 200+ pharmacy stores will also be offering free sunscreen consultations showing how to apply sunscreen correctly. Stores have also been fundraising for Cancer Research UK as part of their summer campaign to raise awareness of the importance of being safe in the sun, and helping to fund vital research into skin cancer. Last weekend’s theme was Summer Fun & Sun in the outdoors, and was the fifth of six themed fundraising weekends held at stores this summer.

Notes

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from OnePoll. Total sample size was 2,000 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken online over the weekend of 21-22 August 2010.

Key Results:

923 participants (46% of 2000 participants) responded yes to ‘Did you get sunburnt this year?’

298 participants (32% of 923 participants) responded yes to ‘Did you get sunburnt this year because you were trying to get a tan?’

101 participants (34% of 298 participants) agreed that the following would apply to them next year: ‘I’d be a bit more careful but I’d still risk sunburn for a tan.’

Precautions to take to protect against sunburn

– Cover up with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses

-Use at least factor 15 sunscreen

– Spend time in the shade during the hottest part of the day (between 11am and 3pm)

Source:

Cancer Research UK

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Editor’s Choice
Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Dermatology;  Lung Cancer
Article Date: 31 Aug 2010 – 0:00 PDT

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Maybe you worshipped the sun in your youth or weren’t as meticulous as you should have been with sunscreen. If so, take heart: Scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio are finding that certain plant substances, when given in combinations, may suppress damage that can cause skin cancer.

The substances, which occur naturally in grapes, berries, walnuts and a number of other plant-based foods, were tested on mice that had been genetically manipulated to be sensitive to skin cancer initiation and promotion/progression. Given in combination, even at low doses, the plant agents proved protective.

“On the basis of our research, supplements and creams or sunscreens may be developed, tested in humans and then used to prevent skin cancer,” said Zbigniew Walaszek, Ph.D., research associate professor of pharmacology at the Health Science Center.

The natural agents include resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, and grape seed extract. Others are calcium D-glucarate, a salt of D-glucaric acid, which is present in the human bloodstream and in many fruits and vegetables, and ellagic acid, found in a host of berries and in walnuts.

Synergistic effects

Each of these compounds works in a different way, so giving them in combination is most protective. Scientists have administered the agents both topically and in the diet.

In one study, the team induced skin cancer by shaving the backs of rodents and applying a chemical that produces a genetic mutation. This was done twice a week for four weeks. At the same time, researchers applied topical resveratrol and fed the mice diets supplemented with various combinations of the plant substances.

The team evaluated several outcomes, including thickness in the outer layer of the skin. An increase in thickness indicates that precancerous cells are multiplying. Researchers also monitored mutations in Ha-ras, an oncogene that is a biomarker of cancer initiation, and inflammation, which is important in tumor promotion.

Even low doses of plant agent combinations produced protective effects, while the plant substances given individually produced markedly less benefit.

Preventing cell transformation

Dr. Walaszek’s colleague and wife, Margaret Hanausek, Ph.D., research associate professor of pharmacology, said the findings hold great potential for those most at risk for skin cancer and other cancers involving epithelial cells, including lung cancer.

“The combined inhibitory effects of different plant chemicals are expected to be particularly beneficial to, for example, smokers, former smokers or individuals with heavily tanned skin, who carry thousands of cells already initiated for malignant transformation,” Dr. Hanausek said.

Research scientist Magdalena Kowalczyk, Ph.D., agreed: “Described combinations may be very useful in the prevention of skin cancer and other epithelial cancers in humans, achieving a high efficacy and potency with reduced side effects.”

The team continues to look for the best combinations of the natural agents in suppressing different events during skin cancer development, she said.

Future directions

Researchers acknowledge that not all information – for example, effects on organs such as the lungs – can be gleaned from a skin cancer model. But they say it is an exciting start.

“Our next step is to go to an ultraviolet B light model of skin cancer initiation and confirm our results,” Dr. Walaszek said.

Notes:
Team leader Thomas Slaga, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology at the Health Science Center, developed the mouse model of skin cancer. Called SENCAR, it is used by scientists worldwide.

The ongoing work is supported by two grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Citation:


Synergistic Effects of Combined Phytochemicals and Skin Cancer Prevention in SENCAR Mice.
Magdalena C. Kowalczyk, Piotr Kowalczyk, Olga Tolstykh, Margaret Hanausek, Zbigniew Walaszek, Thomas J. Slaga.
Published online first January 26, 2010; doi: 10.1158/1940-6207. CAPR-09-0196
Cancer Prevention Research February 2010 3; 170

Source: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

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Main Category: Dermatology
Article Date: 26 Aug 2010 – 2:00 PDT

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A drug initially developed to protect skin from light and UV will soon be tested as a repigmentation therapy in vitiligo, a common disorder which causes skin to gradually lose its pigment or tone. SCENESSE(R), a new drug developed in Australia, will be evaluated for its ability to reactivate melanin in the whitened, depigmented skin patches caused by vitiligo.

If approved by US and EU regulators, Melbourne-based Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd will commence trials in October.

“Our vitiligo program is a potential breakthrough for patients and testament to Clinuvel’s expertise in the field of dermatology and skincare: the activation of melanin, pigment, in skin,” Clinuvel’s CEO, Dr Philippe Wolgen said.

The active ingredient in SCENESSE(R), afamelanotide, works by mimicking the body’s own response to ultraviolet light; activating melanin in the skin to protect against damage. The drug is delivered as an injectable implant, roughly the size of a grain of rice, and biologically activates melanin for up to 60 days.

In vitiligo the pigment producing cells of the skin (melanocytes) are absent or inadequate. As a result, lighter patches of skin appear in different parts of the body due to a lack of melanin. Vitiligo doesn’t cause physical impairment but does cause significant psychological and emotional distress. The disorder affects up to 2% of the population. Nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV), the most common subtype, affects over 45 million people globally.

While testing SCENESSE(R) for other diseases, including skin cancer, Clinuvel discovered that the drug may help vitiligo patients.

“For a long time we were unsure of the potential of the drug in vitiligo,” explained Clinuvel’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Hank Agersborg. “But, since the scientific reports came through on the effects of phototherapy in vitiligo, we understood SCENESSE’s ability to assist with repigmenting skin lesions.”

SCENESSE(R) will be tested in a pilot NSV study on its own and in combination with an existing therapy called narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), which uses UV light to activate pigment and restore melanocytes.
It is expected that SCENESSE(R) will enhance this therapy as well as activating melanin independently by stimulating specific melanocytes which exist in hair follicles within the skin.

“Vitiligo is a disorder that has a considerable impact on the lives of patients worldwide,” Dr Wolgen said. “To be able to evaluate a potential therapy that could help improve quality of life for these people is a vastly rewarding prospect for Clinuvel.

“We are excited to be able to commence this trial and work with the vitiligo community to determine the drug’s effect.”

To date, SCENESSE(R) has been safely administered to approximately 550 patients and is in late stage confirmatory clinical trials in the US and Europe for the rare light intolerance porphyria (EPP).

About SCENESSE(R) (afamelanotide)

SCENESSE(R) is a first-in-class therapeutic being developed by Clinuvel, with the generic name (or INN) afamelanotide. An analogue of ?-MSH, afamelanotide is a linear peptide which activates eumelanin of the skin, the dark pigment which is known to provide photoprotective properties (offering skin protection against light and UV radiation). SCENESSE(R) is administered underneath the skin as a dissolvable implant approximately the size of a grain of rice.

SCENESSE(R) is a registered trademark of Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

About vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common skin disorder in which the pigment producing cells of the skin (melanocytes) are absent or demonstrate lack of activity. As a result, lighter depigmented patches of skin (target lesions) appear in different parts of the body due the lack of melanin (pigment). The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown, but it is generally recognised that an autoimmune component plays a role in this disease. Between 0.1-2% of the global population is affected by vitiligo, affecting all races. Vitiligo causes significant psychological and emotional distress.

Vitiligo is traditionally separated into two clinical forms: nonsegmental, or generalised, vitiligo (NSV) and segmental vitiligo (SV), which present with distinctive clinical features and natural histories.

NSV is the most common form of the disease, accounting for 72-95% of the cases. The vitiliginous lesions are usually symmetrically distributed and new patches may appear throughout the patient’s life. The disease is progressive with flare-ups. NSV is frequently associated with personal or family history of auto-immunity.

Source:

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited

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Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Also Included In: Dermatology;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 23 Aug 2010 – 3:00 PDT

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The Melanoma Research Alliance (”MRA”) today announced $5.2 million in grants to support six multidisciplinary teams pursuing innovative, translational research approaches designed to benefit melanoma patients.

MRA is a non-profit organization that supports novel research programs worldwide that will advance scientific understanding of melanoma needed to enable the development of better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment approaches. In completing this third grant cycle, MRA has awarded nearly $22 million to 50 programs in eight countries and has made significant progress – from studies published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals to patent applications, from scientific meeting presentations to new cross-sector collaborations.

The six programs receiving the new grants include a total of 22 principal investigators from 10 U.S. institutions and centers. These programs focus on improving treatment approaches for metastatic melanoma, including studies of immunotherapies and molecularly targeted therapies.

Each year, more than 132,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed globally. In the U.S., alone, melanoma incidence has tripled over the past three decades and is currently one of the top ten causes of new cancers. Approximately one American is diagnosed every eight minutes and one American dies every hour from melanoma. Very early stage melanoma is greater than 90 percent curable with surgery, while patients with disseminated Stage IV melanoma have a median life expectancy of less than one year.

“MRA is committed to combating this deadly disease and, with each grant cycle, our commitment is strengthened as we see the progress that is made through novel, creative and collaborative approaches to defeating melanoma,” said Wendy Selig, President and CEO, MRA. “The research projects awarded today represent cutting-edge work that we expect will help accelerate and translate scientific knowledge into clinical advances that will benefit patients.”

The following programs received 2010 MRA Team Science Awards:

– Studies on the mechanisms of de novo and acquired resistance to selective BRAF inhibition. Identifying mechanisms underlying resistance to highly selective BRAF inhibitors to develop more effective approaches using these agents

Principal Investigators: David Solit, M.D. and Paul Chapman, M.D., of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Michael Davies, M.D., Ph.D., University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; Roger Lo, M.D., Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles; David Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., Keith Flaherty, M.D., and Hensin Tsao, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital; Katherine Nathanson, M.D., University of Pennsylvania; and Jeffrey Sosman, M.D., Vanderbilt University.

– Modulating anti-tumor immunity with dendritic cells (Henry Silverman-MRA Team Science Award Recipient)- Activating toll-like receptors on dendritic cells to stimulate effective immune responses against melanoma.

Principal Investigators: Nina Bhardwaj, M.D., Ph.D., New York University; Jedd Wolchok, M.D., Ph.D., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

– Development of targeted therapies for Gq/11 mutant melanomas- Identifying predictive biomarkers in ocular melanoma patients treated with a MEK inhibitor

Principal Investigators: Boris Bastian, M.D., Richard Carvajal, M.D., and Gary Schwartz, M.D., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

– The isolation of human anti-MICA monoclonal antibodies- Characterizing specific antibodies arising in patients benefiting from immunotherapy, to test them for therapeutic benefit

Principal Investigators: Glenn Dranoff, M.D., and Kai Wucherpfennig, M.D., Ph.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

– Advanced immune monitoring and T-cell receptor (TCR) cloning in clinical trials of TCR engineered adoptive cell transfer therapy- Improving the performance of adoptive T cell transfer therapy through new generation immune monitoring assays and molecular cloning of T-cell receptors

Principal Investigators: Antoni Ribas, M.D., The University of California, Los Angeles; David Baltimore, Ph.D., and James H. Heath, M.D., California Institute of Technology

– Strategies to enhance the efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapy- Combining vaccine with adoptive T cell transfer to enhance T-cell survival and expansion

Principal Investigators: Cassian Yee, M.D., Stan Riddell, M.D., and Philip Greenberg, M.D., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

“MRA is honored to support these six collaborative, outcomes-oriented programs,” said Debra Black, Co-Founder and Board Chair of MRA. “The quality of proposals we received is a testament to the scientific community’s commitment to advancing medical solutions for melanoma patients.”

Since its inception, the founders of MRA have committed a total of $40 million over six years to spur innovative research and stimulate broader support to generate the resources necessary to defeat melanoma.

This year’s Team Science Awards included the MRA’s second sponsored award, with the research program, “Modulating anti-tumor immunity with dendritic cells,” receiving the Henry Silverman-MRA Team Science Award. This award was established through the generous support of Henry Silverman, member of the MRA Board.

MRA also just released a request for proposals for the 2011 grant cycle. Grant requests are reviewed by MRA’s Grant Review Committee, comprised of leading medical and scientific experts, and presented to the MRA Board of Directors, for final authorization.

Source:

Melanoma Research Alliance

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Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Dermatology
Article Date: 20 Aug 2010 – 6:00 PDT

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Patients who receive a diagnosis of the skin cancer basal cell carcinoma at a younger age-along with those who have red hair, a higher socioeconomic status and a cancerous lesion on their upper extremities-appear to be at higher risk of developing multiple cancers and require closer follow-up, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

“Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in people with European ancestry, and its incidence continues to increase steeply,” the authors write as background information in the article. “Although basal cell carcinoma therapy is relatively straightforward and basal cell carcinoma mortality rates are extremely low, the high incidence of basal cell carcinoma and the high risk of developing multiple lesions put a major burden on limited health care resources, placing basal cell carcinoma in fifth place on the list of most expensive cancers to treat in the United States.”

Risk factors for the disease include older age, being male, race and genetic predisposition, which may interact with UV light exposure or other environmental hazards. To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for single vs. multiple basal cell carcinoma lesions, Ville Kiiski, M.D., and colleagues at Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, studied two cohorts of 10,994 Dutch adults 55 or older, one in 1990 and one in 1999. Patients with basal cell carcinoma lesions were identified from Dutch national records and potential risk factors-including sex, age, hair color, eye color, educational level and other demographic and health characteristics-were determined when individuals entered the study.

A total of 524 (4.8 percent) individuals in both cohorts had basal cell carcinoma, of whom 361 had single lesions and 163 (31.1 percent) had multiple lesions. Individuals who developed their first lesion after age 75 were significantly less likely to develop multiple lesions, whereas red hair and a first lesion located on the upper extremities was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing multiple lesions.

“In contrast to developing a first lesion, high educational level was significantly positively associated with developing multiple lesions,” the authors write. “This finding may be explained by the probability that people with higher levels of education (which correlates strongly with socioeconomic status) have different lifestyles (e.g., more frequent exposure to UV rays for intermittent periods).” It may also be that these individuals were more likely to develop cancer in places other than the face and neck, or because they tend to live longer and thus have more time to develop lesions, the authors note.

Known risk factors for basal cell carcinoma, including having blue eyes and fair or blond hair, were not associated with the risk for additional lesions. “The observed discrepancy among risk factor profiles of developing single or multiple basal cell carcinoma lesions may suggest that once cumulative environmental-genetic interaction has surpassed a certain threshold and resulted in a lesion, the phenotypic characteristics of patients seem less important. The clinical relevance of this finding is that physicians’ risk assessment efforts should differentiate between patients at risk for a first lesion and those who have a history of basal cell carcinoma.”

Arch Dermatol. 2010;146[8]:848-855.

Source

Archives of Dermatology

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Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Article Date: 19 Aug 2010 – 5:00 PDT

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JAFRA(R) Cosmetics International, Inc. (JAFRA), a leader in the direct sales industry, announced that its Men Dynamics skin care collection has received the prestigious Seal of Recommendation from The Skin Cancer Foundation, an independent institute that sets the industry standard for products that are safe and effective in providing sun protection.

With the addition of the Men Dynamics skin care line, JAFRA now has 100 cosmetic and skin care products that have been approved by The Skin Cancer Foundation to use its Seal of Recommendation. For easy identification, the Seal appears on the packaging of all approved JAFRA products.

“Consumers want to protect their skin from sun damage, but they cannot always determine which products will provide them with the best benefits,” said Pragna Chakravarti, JAFRA vice president and chief scientific officer.

“If a skin care product carries the Seal from The Skin Cancer Foundation, consumers can trust that it has passed a rigorous testing and evaluation process and has a minimum SPF of 15 or higher sun protection,” Chakravarti said. “JAFRA is pleased that all of the products it submitted to the Foundation have passed the review process and received the Seal,” Chakravarti said.

Founded in 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation educates the public and the medical profession about skin cancer – the world’s most common cancer – that has reached epidemic levels in many countries. The non-profit foundation promotes the use of sun protection and the need for early skin cancer detection and prompt medical treatment.

To make identifying sun protection products easier, The Skin Cancer Foundation established its Seal of Recommendation program in 1981. The Seal quickly became a respected international standard for ensuring the safety and efficacy of ultraviolet (UV) protection. Products submitted for the Seal are reviewed by a five-member panel of physicians who are leading experts in the study of photobiology – the interaction of UV radiation and the skin. The panel considers scientific data and independent test results to ensure products meet their stringent criteria. Every product is monitored annually to guarantee it continues to meet Seal standards.

As it introduces new products or new formulations, JAFRA will continue to have its cosmetic and skin care products tested by The Skin Cancer Foundation for its Seal of Recommendation.

Source:

JAFRA Brand

Skin Cancer Foundation

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Main Category: Dermatology
Article Date: 05 Aug 2010 – 0:00 PDT

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A consistent all-over tan may be impossible to achieve because some body areas are much more resistant to tanning than others, a study has found.

Researchers – funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) – at the University of Edinburgh say the results explain why some holidaymakers find it so hard to achieve an even tan all over their body.

The findings, published in the journal Experimental Dermatology, show that the buttock is much more resistant to sunshine but surprisingly when it does go red it tans less well than other areas.

It was also found that people with no freckles tanned more easily than those without freckling.

The study represents the first time that the depth of a person’s tan, and not just skin redness, has been quantified.

Scientists carried out the study to try and solve the puzzle of why different types of skin cancer tend to be found in different parts of the body, given that they are all caused by exposure to sunshine.

The team aimed to identify whether this is linked to variations in the way different parts of the body develop a tan.

The team analysed the skin of 100 volunteers, who were exposed to six dose of UVB on two areas of their body – their back and their buttock.

The volunteers were given an injection to minimise the rush of blood that naturally occurs after the skin is exposed to sunlight within the first 24 hours.

Researchers say this redness is often confused with the start of tanning, but in fact is the skin’s signal that it has been damaged.

After seven days, the volunteers’ skin was analysed to find what colour remained after the redness had died down.

This colour – recognised as a suntan – comes from the skin’s production of melanin, a defence that blocks the skin absorbing too much harmful UVB radiation.

Jonathan Rees, Professor of Dermatology at the University of Edinburgh, who led the study said: “One of the real puzzles about melanoma is why the numbers of tumours differ so much depending on body site. Our work shows that in one sense we are all made up of different units of skin, which respond differently to sunshine, and which all may afford different degrees of protection against the harmful effects of sunshine.”

Source:
Anna Borthwick

University of Edinburgh

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