Dimericine
Dimericine is discussed in an article
that appeared in the march, 2001, issue of Scientific American. The article also
mentions another DNA repair cream under development at the University of
Dusseldorf.
"The viral endonuclease (Dimericine) is not the only
repair protein that has been tested in a lotion. Jean Krutmann, a dermatologist
at the University of Düsseldorf and co-author of the XP report, published a
study last year using photolyase,
a fascinating DNA-repair enzyme, from cyanobacteria. It directly reverts
UV-induced dimers back to normal, using the energy of visible light. Applied in
liposomes, the enzyme decreased the number of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in
human skin by about 40 percent.
"Protein therapy is nothing new--insulin and human
growth hormone have been used for years--but applying proteins externally to the
skin is. Thus far the lotion seems to be safe: very little of the microbial
enzymes tested by AGI Dermatics and others penetrates down into the dermis, and
they did not cause allergic reactions.
Additional information regarding AGI
- Dermatics is reproduced below.
| Applied
Genetics, Inc. 205 Buffalo Ave. |
| Freeport, N.Y. 11520 |
| Phone: | (516) 868-9026 |
| Fax: | (516) 868-9143 |
| E mail: | staff@agiderm.com |
AGI has developed the first product for skin enzyme replacement therapy. T4N5 liposomes encapsulate a purified DNA repair enzyme that delivers the enzyme into skin and speeds the removal of DNA damage resulting from sun exposure.
T4N5 liposomes have the advantage that they can be used before, during and especially after sun exposure. In preclinical testing, T4N5 liposomes enhanced repair, prevented immunosuppression, and reduced skin cancer from UV exposure.
The first indication for FDA approval is the treatment of the hereditary disease xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). XP is a rare genetic disease in which patients lack DNA repair of sun damage and develop skin cancer at an early age. Clinical testing in XP patients is now in Phase III, with an endpoint of prevention of actinic keratoses (AK) and skin cancer.
The goal is the treatment of the 10 million or more patients in the U.S. with pre-cancerous actinic keratosis and skin cancer.
Photosomes® - Photosomes are liposomes that encapsulate a microbial cell extract derived from ocean plankton that uses the visible wavelengths of sunlight to reverse damage produced by ultraviolet light. Their unique mechanism of preventing and reversing skin injury distinguishes Photosomes from other products in the sun care market.
Ultrasomes® - Ultrasomes are liposomes encapsulating an extract prepared from one of the most UV - resistant organisms yet discovered. They have the added benefit of stimulating the normal tanning response, leading to a safer tan.
Oxysomes® - Oxysomes contain vitamin E in the liposome membrane surrounding vitamin C, maximizing the availability of these critical antioxidants to skin in their natural conformation.
Thiotaine® - Thiotaine is a new amino acid in the cosmetic market that is both a powerful antioxidant and a catalyst for oxygen use.
Dimericine cream is allegedly available through SynergyWorldWide
for $45 a bottle, plus $10 shipping. I say "allegedly" because,
although someone has claimed the the SynergyWorldWide cream is Dimericine, I
haven't gotten confirmation from the company. Also, AGI - Dermatics had signed a
contract with Elan Corporation to act as AGI's distributor. And finally, I don't
think AGI-Dermatics has yet gotten FDA approval for the clinical use of
Dimericine.
