The 2012 edition of The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal features medically reviewed, reader-friendly articles such as tanning, the increasing incidence of skin cancer diagnoses among young women, & the prevalence of melanoma among white males over 50.
Issue link: https://skincancer.epubxp.com/i/319518
S K I N C A N C E R F O U N D A T I O N J O U R N A L 36 Beauty & Anti-Aging the body's natural enzymes, have great potential to repair sun-damaged and precancerous skin, thereby preventing the development of skin cancers. PROMISING RESEARCH T he best research to date on DNA enzyme repair creams was published in the journal Lancet. This was a multi- center, controlled trial using topical DNA repair enzyme lotion (T4 endo- nuclease V) on 30 randomly selected xeroderma pigmentosum patients, 1 who have a rare hereditary defect in their DNA enzyme repair system; their skin cannot properly repair itself after UV exposure, leaving them with ex- treme sensitivity to sunlight and a vastly increased risk of developing skin cancer. The DNA repair enzyme lotion, used daily for one year versus a placebo li- posome lotion, produced a dramatic 68 percent decrease in incidence of actinic keratosis (AK, the most common skin precancer), and a 30 percent reduction in new basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), in this group of patients who tend to develop multiple skin cancers early in life. In fact, their rate of new and recurring skin cancers remained far lower than expected for up to 6 months after discontinuing the DNA repair enzyme lotion. Other studies have shown that the repair enzyme lotions can decrease the incidence of AKs in patients with sun damage, 2 and many cellu- lar studies have demonstrated their ability to repair DNA damage. 3 In fact, the lotions' ability to curb AKs could conceivably rival that of topi- cal chemotherapy (5-fuorouracil and imiquimod), without the scabbing, redness and infammation these tech- niques entail. Despite all these fndings and the lotions' proven ability to reduce BCC incidence, it will be problematic for them to receive FDA approval as skin cancer preventives, due to the high costs required to secure such ap- proval and the limited patent protec- tion even if they did receive approval. Fortunately, the repair enzymes can be incorporated into cosmetic creams without making any medical claims. Basically, the lotions can supplement our own natural DNA repair activ- ity, proving especially benefcial when that activity diminishes as we age. Repair Enzyme Creams and Skin Rejuvenation I n addition to reversing the potential carcinogenic efects of sun damage, the enzyme repair lotions available to- day can help repair DNA defects caused by skin aging. They reduce brown spots (lentigines), restore smoothness and thickness, increase moisture, and im- prove overall appearance. They produce the skin thickening efects by inhibiting the production of proteins that dissolve collagen, and they prevent the forma- tion of age spots and wrinkles by repairing DNA defects in the fbro- blasts and epidermal cells. In the not distant future, these and the next gen- eration of DNA enzyme repair lotions could play a growing role not just in helping to prevent skin cancers and precancers, but in maintaining and re- storing the youthfulness of the skin. 4 MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS One lotion is derived from this bacterium, found in marine waters and soils (as well as in the human mouth, mucosal linings of the upper pharynx, and respiratory tract). This DNA repair enzyme recognizes areas of DNA dam- age, excises them, and synthesizes new DNA strands into repaired DNA. The lotion derived from micrococcus luteus was used in the aforementioned Lancet study 1 of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients that demonstrated a dramatic decrease in actinic keratoses and BCCs. It has also been shown to enhance DNA repair in skin cancer patients who have no known genetic defects such as XP. BLUE ALGAE A DNA repair enzyme derived from blue algae restores immune function. It uses the energy from sunlight to repair UVB-induced DNA damage and increases collagen in the skin by reducing collagen-degrading enzymes. In one study, when these DNA repair enzymes were applied to the skin, there was a 45 percent reduction in skin DNA damage. 3 MUSTARD GREEN A topical DNA repair enzyme lotion derived from a mustard green plant can enhance the body's natural ability to repair UVA-induced DNA damage in the skin. Studies have shown that the lotion can completely remove DNA damage in the cell's nucleus and mitochondria within two hours of UV exposure. It has also been shown to prevent skin cancer. Creams containing these repair enzyme liposomes have great potential to repair sun-damaged and pre- cancerous skin. They reduce brown spots, restore smoothness and thickness, increase moisture and improve overall appearance. Lotions and Creams Available The DNA enzyme repair lotions and creams available today derive their repair enzymes from three main sources: References available on p.96