Beneficial effects of the melanocortin analogue Nle4-D-Phe7-α-MSH in acne vulgaris.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol
; 28(1): 108-11, 2014 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22845050
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a melanocortin peptide that increases skin pigmentation during ultraviolet light-mediated tanning. As α-MSH has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects, we assessed the clinical potential of a superpotent α-MSH analogue, afamelanotide (Nle(4)-D-Phe(7)-α-MSH), in patients with acne vulgaris, the most common inflammatory skin disorder.METHODS:
Afamelanotide (16 mg) was given in a phase II open-label pilot study subcutaneously as a sustained-release resorbable implant formulation to 3 patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris. Evaluation included lesion count, adverse effects and patient-reported outcome. Monitoring of laboratory parameters included differential blood counts, electrolytes, urine analysis, and liver and kidney function tests. Skin melanin density was measured by reflectance spectrophotometry.RESULTS:
The total number as well as the number of inflammatory acne lesions declined in all patients 56 days after the first injection of afamelanotide. Life quality as measured by Dermatology Life Quality Index likewise improved in all 3 patients 56 days after the first injection of afamelanotide. There were no adverse effects except mild and short-term fatigue in one patient. All patients experienced increased pigmentation especially on the face. Clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters were not detected.CONCLUSIONS:
Afamelanotide appears to have anti-inflammatory effects in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Future trials are needed to confirm the anti-inflammatory action of this melanocortin analogue in patients with acne vulgaris.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Alpha-MSH
/
Acne Vulgaris
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol
Journal subject:
DERMATOLOGIA
/
DOENCAS SEXUALMENTE TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Alemania