Cancer Type:
| Skin Cancer |
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Background More than 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year in the United States, including non-melanoma and melanoma. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer that can be fatal if it spreads to distant sites in the body. Among those skin cancer patients, it is estimated that more than 70,000 will be diagnosed with melanoma this year. Although most skin cancers are curable, melanoma is estimated to claim more than 8,700 American people's lives in 2011 alone, accounting for more than 70% of all skin cancer deaths. Melanoma is more difficult to prevent because, unlike in other types of skin cancer, heredity plays a major role in melanoma development. It is also more aggressive in spreading (metastasizing) to distant body parts, and treatment is often ineffective once metastasis occurs. Studies show that only 15 to 20% of patients with metastatic melanoma could survive for 5 years or longer. Better treatment strategies are in high demand for this lethal skin cancer. Research NFCR funds leading cancer researchers who are dedicated to finding new and better strategies for skin cancer prevention and treatment. Below are three examples of outstanding NFCR research programs, each holding great promise in the effort to fight skin cancer and save more lives: Searching for "A Second Layer of Sunscreen" Back in the 1980s, Dr. Helmut Sies discovered the powerful anti-oxidation activity of lycopene, the famous red pigment in tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. His recent research with volunteers showed that lycopene and other carotenoids (natural pigments) effectively ameliorated UV-induced skin damage (erythma) in humans, which consequently helped reduce the risk of skin cancer. Dr. Sies' discovery increases the possibilities of using dietary intervention for skin cancer protection, and helps the development of functional foods that may enable humans to create a second layer of powerful sunscreen from inside out. Recently, NFCR scientist Dr. Helmut Sies, a leading researcher on cancer prevention, demonstrated with human volunteers that lycopene, the carotenoid in tomatoes and other fruits and in some vegetables, and flavanols from cocoa, red wine, and green tea, effectively ameliorated UV-induced skin damage (erythma), which can help reduce the risk of skin cancer. To understand how these dietary micronutrients control cell metabolism and work to prevent skin cancer, Dr. Sies is forging ahead to define molecular targets of these nutrients. This vital information will guide researchers in identifying molecular biomarkers of skin cancer that may depend on an individual's metabolism. In the era of personalized medicine, NFCR supports this important research that will further increase the possibilities of using dietary intervention for skin cancer protection on an individual level. Ancient Enzymes May Offer a New, Modern Way to Target Melanoma tRNA synthetases, which are among the first enzymes to arise in the early stages of the evolution of life, build all proteins from the genetic-code-carrying molecule mRNA. Dr. Paul Schimmel, an NFCR scientist who has devoted almost his entire career to studying tRNA synthetases, is demonstrating that these enzymes also have anti-cancer functions in cells. Recently, his research showed that one tRNA synthetase has robust activity in slowing and stopping melanoma growth in tumor models. In fact, when the enzyme is given with chemotherapy, tumor suppression activity is greater than either agent alone. With continued research, this tRNA synthetase may provide the basis for a new therapy against malignant melanoma. Stopping the Lethal Spread of Melanoma
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