Phaeomelanin versus eumelanin as a chemical indicator of ultraviolet sensitivity in fair-skinned subjects at high risk for melanoma: a pilot study.
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| Abstract |
It is now generally agreed that solar exposure is a major external factor in the causation of cutaneous melanoma in light skinned populations with red hair and a marked susceptibility to the acute effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the present study, we investigated the existence of a possible relationship between hair melanin composition and minimal erythema dose (MED), as an indicator of UV sensitivity, in a group of 15 healthy red-haired subjects aged 20-46 years. In spite of comparable skin and hair colour, marked variations were observed in the MED values as well as in the hair melanin composition. Phaeomelanin levels varied in the range 0.026-0.53% w/w and were generally comparable to or higher than eumelanin levels (0.042-0.17% w/w). No significant relationship was found between MED values and phaeomelanin, eumelanin or total melanin (eumelanin plus phaeomelanin) content. Notably, however, a gross positive correlation was found between the eumelanin/phaeomelanin ratio and the MED values. These results would suggest that a high UV sensitivity is associated with high phaeomelanin and low eumelanin levels, and point to the eumelanin/phaeomelanin ratio as a novel chemical parameter that could be used for predicting individuals at high risk for skin cancer and melanoma.
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| Authors | M R Vincensi, M d'Ischia, A Napolitano, E M Procaccini, G Riccio, G Monfrecola, P Santoianni, G Prota |
| Journal | Melanoma research (Melanoma Res) Vol. 8 Issue 1 Pg. 53-8 (Feb 1998) ISSN: 0960-8931 [Print] England |
| PMID | 9508377 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
| Chemical References |
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