Photochemistry and photobiology
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Photochem. Photobiol. · Nov 2009
Clinical TrialMitigating photosensitivity of erythropoietic protoporphyria patients by an agonistic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone.
Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by dermal accumulation of the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX. Following sunlight exposure, the resulting photosensitivity is manifested first as pain, later as erythema, edema and dermal lesions. Afamelanotide (Nle(4)-D-Phe(7)-alpha-MSH), a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone and agonist of the melanocortin-1-receptor, promotes melanin synthesis, increasing skin pigmentation. ⋯ Tolerance to natural sunlight was up to 24 times longer than prior to therapy. The findings demonstrate beneficial effects of afamelanotide in patients with EPP. Due to the limited number of patients enrolled and the design being an open-label study, confirmation by a large-scale trial is required.