US
scientists say they have developed a lotion which repairs
sun damaged skin.
The lotion,
currently undergoing clinical trials, contains a protein which
mends DNA damaged by the sun.
AGI Dermatics said tests had shown the cream cut skin cancer
rates when used daily for a year on people who were susceptible
to the disease.
Experts said it may encourage people to spend longer in the
sun. AGI Dermatics stressed the cream was no alternative to
sunscreen.
Skin cancer kills more than 2,000 people a year in the UK.
Oil sacs in the lotion allow a protein called T4 endonuclease
to penetrate the skin cells.
"One
of the main concerns is that this could lead to a laissez-faire
attitude to sun care" --- Dr Mark Matfield, of
the Association of International Cancer Research
Once inside a cell's nucleus, the protein removes damaged areas
of DNA and starts a repair process that the body completes.
The lotion and the protein enter cells within an hour of application
and produces measurable results within six hours, researchers
from the New York firm told the American Chemical Society's
annual conference.
The lotion was tested on 30 people with a rare genetic disease,
xeroderma pigmentosum, that made them more susceptible to skin
cancer.
Daily application of the lotion resulted in a third fewer skin
cancers and two thirds fewer pre-cancer lesions than in those
who did not use it.
Lead researcher Daniel Yarosh said the cream had the potential
to be used widespread in the fight to protect skin against the
sun.
"This is the first DNA repair drug and is a 'morning after'
approach that is different than other sun protection efforts."
Concern
But Dr Mark Matfield, scientific consultant at the International
Association of Cancer Research, said while the cream should
not be dismissed as it showed potential, the causes of skin
cancer were complicated and not fully understood so this treatment
would probably not be the answer for all forms of the disease.
And he added: "One of the main concerns is that this could lead
to a laissez-faire attitude to sun care.
"People may think we can repair the damage, but the truth is
that it is better to prevent it in the first place."
And Julie Sharp, senior science information officer for Cancer
Research UK, said: "It should not be seen as a shortcut way
of repairing the skin damage caused by sun bathing.
"Preventing skin cancer in the first place is vital and we recommend
people take care to protect themselves by avoiding sunburn,
finding shade from the mid-day sun, covering up and using a
high-factor sunscreen."
US
scientists say they have developed a lotion which repairs
sun damaged skin.
