New spot-on treatment for acne
Acne mostly affects teenagers but some adults suffer too
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Monday, 13, Aug 2007 02:43
A new drug could successfully target acne while having fewer side effects than treatments currently on the market, scientists have claimed.
Acne is partly due to sebum excreted by the skin and most frequently affects adolescents, although it can continue into adulthood.
Researchers have discovered that a drug currently on the marketplace has a previously-unknown side effect of targeting acne, according to a report in the journal Chemistry & Industry.
Trials are now about to start with 18 healthy human volunteers and the results are due to be announced later this year.
Earlier trials found that the sebum excretion was reduced by up to 70 per cent.
"The phase one results are startlingly good," said Nigel Blackburn, director of clinical development at Summit – the company organising the trial.
"Reducing sebum production has been the 'holy grail' of acne treatment for 30 years and there has been little success aside from Roaccutane, which has significant side effects."
Roaccutane's reported possible side effects include a condition which can cause abnormalities in the unborn foetus of pregnant women and it has been linked with depression.
Summit hopes to be able to conduct phase two trials next year to test the drug's effect on acne sufferers.