Melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer chemoprevention: A  role for nicotinamide?

Summary Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes DNA damage in melanocytes by producing photolesions such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8‐oxo‐7‐hydrodeoxyguanosine. The production of reactive oxygen species by UVR also induces inflammatory cytokines that, together with the inherent immunosuppressive properties of UVR, propagate carcinogenesis. Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) enhances DNA repair, modulates the inflammatory environment produced by UVR, and reduces UV‐induced immunosuppression. As nicotinamide reduces the incidence of actinic keratoses and nonmelanoma skin cancers in high‐risk individuals and enhances repair of DNA damage in melanocytes, it is a promising agent for the chemoprevention of melanoma in high‐risk populations.
Source: Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research