BACKGROUND AND CHALLENGES

More than 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year in the United States. Many of these cases could have been prevented. Research has shown that much of the skin damage that leads to skin cancer is caused by over-exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) A and B rays from the sun or from tanning beds. This damage is easily preventable. Limiting sun exposure, using sunscreen and avoiding tanning beds are all highly recommended actions that can lower the risk of skin cancer. Yet, despite efforts to inform the public of these preventative measures, the number of new skin cancer cases has been increasing over the past few decades - a strong indication that our current efforts are far from sufficient. In addition to more public education about recommended risk-lowering actions, much more research is needed to find new ways to protect our skin.

Although most skin cancers are curable, a serious type known as 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.

LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST SKIN CANCER

The National Foundation for Cancer Research funds leading cancer researchers who are dedicated to finding new and better strategies for skin cancer prevention and treatment.  Below are two outstanding NFCR research programs, each holding great promise in the eff ort to fi ght skin cancer and save more lives.

Searching for "A Second Layer of Sunscreen" is the focus of National Foundation for Cancer Research Scientist Helmut Sies, M.D., from Heinrich Heine Universitat, Germany. 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 human volunteers showed that lycopene and other carotenoids (natural pigments) eff ectively 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.

Ancient Enzymes May Offer a New, Modern Way to Target Melanoma is the discovery of NFCR research fellow Paul Schimmel, Ph.D., at The Scripps Research Institute, California. 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. Schimmel has devoted almost his entire career to studying tRNA synthetases, and found 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 and other types of cancer is the steady march of the NFCR Center of Metastasis Research, University of Alabama (Birmingham) directed by Danny Welch, Ph.D. Melanoma can take a patient's life within 4-6 months once it has spread. Very little is known how cancer cells spread to distant sites in the body and many researchers have shied away from the complex biology of metastatic cancer. Dr. Welch and his collaborators are opening the research doors toward an understanding of the metastatic process and fi nding ways to stop its killing. Th ey have discovered six "metastasis suppressor genes" including BRMS1 and KISS1 genes that stop the spread of melanoma. Th e impact of this research is enormously signifi cant, as it could lead to novel anti-cancer therapies that prevent metastasis from happening or keep it dormant, putting the cancer under control and giving patients new hope for a cure and extended life.

NEXT STEPS: HOW YOU CAN HELP

These and other research projects hold great promise in developing more eff ective skin cancer prevention strategies for the general public and in bringing new and better treatments to save more patients' lives. What our scientists need is research funding. Your donation dollars will be directly used to support NFCR scientists' life-saving research.  Please click here if you would like to make a donation to cancer research.