Subcutaneous Implant Against Skin Cancer

Filed in archive Treatment on April 19, 2006

How would you like to have an implant that will protect you from skin cancer and give you a sun-tan as a side effect?

Biotech Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (formerly known as Epitan) is developing a skin implant which contains a compound designated as CUV1647, a drug ment to counteract polymorphous light eruption (PLE) or "sun poisoning" and actinic keratosis, a skin cancer precursor.

According top the manufacturers, people treated with the drug, administered through an implant "the size of a grain of rice" under the skin, will get a sun-free tan for a few months as a side effect. the drug is entering Phase 3 clinical trials in Australia, Europe and US, and if it passes muster, could be out in the market by 2009.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]

About the author: Ruth Schaffer is a Microbiologist by training and currently authors the Allergy and Biotechnology weblogs for Creative Weblogging. She is a mother to a bi-racial, Bilingual, precocious 3-yr old.