`A Topical Lotion with DNA-Repair Enzymes Reduces Basal Cell Carcinoma and Actinic Keratosis,' Reports AGI Dermatics in The Lancet; Drug Awaiting FDA Approval
FREEPORT, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--March 22, 2001-- A cream containing DNA repair enzymes reduced the rate of skin cancer by one-third among patients using the drug daily for one year, reports AGI Dermatics, a New York biotechnology company, in the March 24 issue of The Lancet. This new `morning after' approach to sun protection also reduced the incidence of actinic keratosis, a pre-cancerous skin lesion, by two-thirds. These impressive effects were achieved even while the study patients continued to use sunscreens.
The topically applied drug (T4N5 Liposome Lotion, tradename Dimericine®) used liposomes to deliver DNA repair enzymes into the cells of the skin to reverse the DNA damage caused by sunlight. An accompanying news report in the March issue of Scientific American, which summarized The Lancet's article, noted ``Researchers now say that they have a skin lotion that can enter cells and fix their damaged DNA before they have a chance to develop into full-blown cancer cells.''
The study was conducted in patients with the genetic disease xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), also known as Children of the Night, who lack DNA repair and often develop skin cancer in childhood. Dr. Daniel Yarosh, President of AGI Dermatics, explained: ``XP is a disease that accelerates the effects of the sun, but we are all vulnerable to the DNA damage produced by UV.'' David Leffell, MD, a Yale University Dermatologist, calls this ``the biggest advance since sunscreens. This topical lotion is a new approach to preventing skin cancer in all people damaged by sunlight.''
The Lancet study reports: ``the effects on actinic keratosis were observed within the first 3 months of treatment...We expect that over further years of use the protective effect of T4N5 liposome lotion would be even greater.''
AGI Dermatics is currently seeking Food and Drug Administration approval to market the new drug to XP patients. AGI is about to launch clinical trials of the drug for the sun-sensitive patient population.
About AGI Dermatics
Applied Genetics, Inc. Dermatics is a private biopharmaceutical company focusing on the dermatology and lifestyle enhancement market. The company invents and acquires new molecular biology technology and applies it to products for aging and cancer prevention. These products are based on the Company's proprietary drug delivery technology centered on liposomes for skin. AGI is commercializing products that repair DNA and restore health damaged by age or the environment, tracking the demands of our changing demographics. Among the fields of biotechnology, AGI is a world leader in liposome dermatics, the application of liposome technology to skin, and DNA repair. .... |
