Photochemotherapy (PUVA) of psoriasis using 3-carbethoxypsoralen, a non-carcinogenic compound in mice.

Abstract

The carcinogenic risk of photochemotherapy (PUVA) with bi-functional furocoumarins such as 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) which form cross-links in cellular DNA has initiated a search for active but less hazardous psoralens. A new compound, 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CPs), studied in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (eukaryote), has been shown to be very photoactive on DNA and to form only mono-additions to DNA. These lesions appear to be more easily repaired than the cross-links induced by 8-MOP. 3-CPs produces less nuclear genetic events such as nuclear mutations and mitotic crossovers, but more cytoplasmic 'petite' mutations (damage to mitochondrial DNA) than 8-MOP. In mice it was demonstrated that after local or intra-peritoneal administration, in contrast to 8-MOP, 3-CPs is non-toxic, non-erythematogenic, and non-carcinogenic. A study of ten psoriatic patients had shown that local applications of 3-CPs plus UV-A exhibit about the same therapeutic activity for the clearing of psoriatic lesions as local treatment with 8-MOP plus UV-A, but without any localized hyperpigmentation.

• Authors: L Dubertret, D Averbeck, F Zajdela, E Bisagni, E Moustacchi, R Touraine, R Latarjet
• Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 101 Issue 4 Pg. 379-89 (Oct 1979) ISSN: 0007-0963 [Print] England
• PMID: 389271 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA, Fungal
• Furocoumarins
• Methoxsalen

Topics

• Animals
• DNA, Fungal
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Female
• Furocoumarins (adverse effects, therapeutic use, toxicity)
• Humans
• Male
• Methoxsalen (therapeutic use)
• Mice
• Photochemotherapy
• Photosensitivity Disorders (chemically induced)
• Psoriasis (drug therapy)
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae (drug effects)
• Skin Neoplasms (chemically induced)