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Breakell T, Kowalski I, Foerster Y, Kramer R, Erdmann M, Berking C, Heppt MV. Ultraviolet Filters: Dissecting Current Facts and Myths. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2986. [PMID: 38792526 PMCID: PMC11121922 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin cancer is a global and increasingly prevalent issue, causing significant individual and economic damage. UV filters in sunscreens play a major role in mitigating the risks that solar ultraviolet ra-diation poses to the human organism. While empirically effective, multiple adverse effects of these compounds are discussed in the media and in scientific research. UV filters are blamed for the dis-ruption of endocrine processes and vitamin D synthesis, damaging effects on the environment, induction of acne and neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Some of these allegations are based on scientific facts while others are simply arbitrary. This is especially dangerous considering the risks of exposing unprotected skin to the sun. In summary, UV filters approved by the respective governing bodies are safe for human use and their proven skin cancer-preventing properties make them in-dispensable for sensible sun protection habits. Nonetheless, compounds like octocrylene and ben-zophenone-3 that are linked to the harming of marine ecosystems could be omitted from skin care regimens in favor of the myriad of non-toxic UV filters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Breakell
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.B.); (I.K.); (Y.F.); (R.K.); (M.E.); (C.B.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN) and CCC Alliance WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabel Kowalski
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.B.); (I.K.); (Y.F.); (R.K.); (M.E.); (C.B.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN) and CCC Alliance WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yannick Foerster
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.B.); (I.K.); (Y.F.); (R.K.); (M.E.); (C.B.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN) and CCC Alliance WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University (TU) Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Rafaela Kramer
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.B.); (I.K.); (Y.F.); (R.K.); (M.E.); (C.B.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN) and CCC Alliance WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Erdmann
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.B.); (I.K.); (Y.F.); (R.K.); (M.E.); (C.B.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN) and CCC Alliance WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.B.); (I.K.); (Y.F.); (R.K.); (M.E.); (C.B.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN) and CCC Alliance WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus V. Heppt
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.B.); (I.K.); (Y.F.); (R.K.); (M.E.); (C.B.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN) and CCC Alliance WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), 91052 Erlangen, Germany
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[Sunscreens of the future: challenges and opportunities]. Hautarzt 2022; 73:257-265. [PMID: 35258659 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-022-04959-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Sunscreens provide excellent protection against erythema and against chronic damage such as photoaging and skin cancer. Today's challenges concern safety of the products and improved methods for standardizing the evaluation of their efficacy. Other important topics are the further development of sunscreen products, as well as personalization of use. Personalized sun protection based on the phenotype, the genetic profiles and moreover the skin's microbiome - all linked to the identification of certain consumer susceptibility factors - is an exciting new area of research. In particular, the expansion with innovative topical agents such as DNA repair liposomes in improved galenic formulations with UV filters tailored to the skin phototype and new topical antioxidants could in future provide even more comprehensive sun protection. New antioxidants and other agents such as nicotinamide could increase systemic photoprevention. Sustainability will also be an important aspect to protect consumers, but also the environment (i.e. especially marine wildlife) from toxic effects of sunscreens.
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Vieyra-Garcia PA, Wolf P. A deep dive into UV-based phototherapy: Mechanisms of action and emerging molecular targets in inflammation and cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 222:107784. [PMID: 33316286 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
UV-based phototherapy (including psoralen plus UVA (PUVA), UVB and UVA1) has a long, successful history in the management of numerous cutaneous disorders. Photoresponsive diseases are etiologically diverse, but most involve disturbances in local (and occasionally systemic) inflammatory cells and/or abnormalities in keratinocytes that trigger inflammation. UV-based phototherapy works by regulating the inflammatory component and inducing apoptosis of pathogenic cells. This results in a fascinating and complex network of simultaneous events-immediate transcriptional changes in keratinocytes, immune cells, and pigment cells; the emergence of apoptotic bodies; and the trafficking of antigen-presenting cells in skin-that quickly transform the microenvironment of UV-exposed skin. Molecular elements in this system of UV recognition and response include chromophores, metabolic byproducts, innate immune receptors, neurotransmitters and mediators such as chemokines and cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, and platelet activating factor (PAF) and PAF-like molecules that simultaneously shape the immunomodulatory effects of UV and their interplay with the microbiota of the skin and beyond. Phototherapy's key effects-proapoptotic, immunomodulatory, antipruritic, antifibrotic, propigmentary, and pro-prebiotic-promote clinical improvement in various skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), vitiligo, scleroderma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) as well as prevention of polymorphic light eruption (PLE). As understanding of phototherapy improves, new therapies (UV- and non-UV-based) are being developed that will modify regulatory T-cells (Treg), interact with (resident) memory T-cells and /or utilize agonists and antagonists as well as antibodies targeting soluble molecules such as cytokines and chemokines, transcription factors, and a variety of membrane-associated receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo A Vieyra-Garcia
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, Graz A-8036, Austria.
| | - Peter Wolf
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, Graz A-8036, Austria.
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