Psoriasis patients across the UK are experiencing differing and sometimes sub-standard levels of care, according to a new survey by the British Association of Dermatologists and Royal College of Physicians, 18.02.08

A traditional Finnish folk medicine concoction of resin from the Norwegian spruce tree mixed with salt-free butter has been found to be effective at treating severe pressure ulcers, 15.02.08

Black pepper could provide a new treatment for the skin disease vitiligo, 14.02.08

Quote from Dr Colin Holden, President of the British Association of Dermatologists, re. virus linked to skin cancer (see PA story below), 17.01.08

Quote from British Association of Dermatologists, re. skin cancer stem cell research (see PA story below), 16.01.08

Eco lightbulbs may cause reactions in patients with light sensitive skin diseases, 03.01.08

Dermatologists have discovered a link between a hormone created by the obesity gene, and the skin disease psoriasis, according to new research due to be published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Leptin, the product of the obesity gene, is a peptide hormone. It plays a key role in regulating body weight through the energy acquired and used by the body, controlling appetite, telling the brain when the body has consumed enough food and can stop eating, and increasing metabolism. However, high levels of leptin are linked to obesity.

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting about two to three percent of the population. Severe cases frequently require hospitalisation, and the psychological impact of the disease can be significant.

The cause of the disease is not fully understood, but it is thought that the dramatically increased rate of skin cell turnover is caused by the immune system, when T cells - a type of white blood cell that usually fights against infection - move to the skin and release cytokines, a group of proteins and peptides that have many roles in inflammation and infection. In psoriasis they trigger a rapid renewal of epidermal cells and inflammation.

Because leptin causes the production of a group of certain cytokines, called ‘type 1 cytokines’, the researchers in China and the US speculated that leptin might play a role in the development of psoriasis.

They therefore conducted a study of 144 patients with psoriasis and 54 people without psoriasis. Women were found to have much higher blood levels of leptin than men generally, but the main differences were observed between the patient and control groups, where the serum leptin levels were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis.

Blood leptin levels in male patients were 37 percent higher than in healthy males, and were a third higher (32 percent) in female patients compared to the female controls group.

The researchers further broke this down according to different types of psoriasis: vulgaris (commonly known as plaque psoriasis and the most common type), generalised pustular (including pus spots), palmoplantar pustulosis (includes pus spots and involves only the palms and soles), erythrodermic (severe and widespread inflammation that requires immediate medical attention) and arthropathic (accompanied by arthritis).                                 

For plaque psoriasis, male patients’ levels were 39 percent higher and female patients’ were 32 percent higher.

For the generalised pustular and palmoplantar pustulosis types, there were not enough male patients with these types to make a significant comparison between male patients and male controls, so the researchers only compared the female patients with the female control group. Likewise there were very few female patients suffering from erythrodermic or arthropathic psoriasis in the study, so only male participants were compared for these specific types of the disease.

However, the study revealed that women with generalised pustular psoriasis had leptin levels that were 50 percent higher than women without psoriasis. Furthermore, levels were 30 percent higher in female patients with palmoplantar pustulosis.

Leptin levels were a third higher (34 percent) in men with erythrodermic type psoriasis, and 52 percent higher in men with arthropathic type psoriasis.

Dermatologist Dr Hong-Duo Chen, one of the study’s authors, said: “Leptin regulates body weight through inhibiting food intake and stimulating energy consumption. In this study, we measured serum leptin levels in psoriasis patients to elucidate its correlation with the disease and its different subtypes.

“Our study has, for the first time, demonstrated that serum leptin levels in psoriasis patients are significantly higher than those of normal controls. While we do not yet know the exact reason for this, it seems that leptin might play an important role in the development of psoriasis, through promoting the cytokines that trigger the accelerated renewal of skin cells and inflammation.”

Dr Colin Holden, President of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “We do not yet understand whether mechanisms link psoriasis and obesity, but it is interesting that psoriasis patients have higher blood levels of a hormone related to being overweight. This could help to explain why if you have psoriasis and become obese, your psoriasis can worsen or be more difficult to control.

Most patients with psoriasis are not overweight and it is clear that suffering from psoriasis would precede weight gain, so being overweight does not directly cause the disease. However the disease may play some part in a person gaining weight. Previously it has been suggested that a lack of mobility due to severe symptoms could be the cause, but generally the exact link has been unclear. People with psoriasis who are also obese will suffer a more severe form of the disease, and their symptoms may be harder to treat. 
  
“Psoriasis has a huge physical and emotional impact on the patient. In fact, the emotional impact of psoriasis is such that as many as one in ten patients contemplate suicide, especially those of younger age.          
“Dermatologists deal with hundreds of diseases for which we do not fully understand the cause, so any breakthrough such as this that can lead to further research is most welcome.”

About psoriasis:
The skin is a complex organ made up of several layers of different types of cell. Those in the outer layer - the epidermis – skin cells change gradually as they move towards the surface where they are continually shed. This process normally takes between 3 and 4 weeks. In psoriasis, the rate of turnover is dramatically increased within the affected skin, so that the process takes as little as 3 or 4 days.  The reasons for this are still not fully understood. Patches of psoriasis (often known as plaques) are red but covered with silvery white scales. The severity of psoriasis can vary greatly, but more severe cases require hospitalisation. There is no known cure, however treatment to control the signs and symptoms is usually effective, although can be a great burden to the patient.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:
1. If using this information, please ensure you mention that the study is being released in the British Journal of Dermatology, the official publication of the British Association of Dermatologists.

2. For more information please contact:  Nina Goad, British Association of Dermatologists, Communications Manager, Phone: 0207 391 6355, Email: nina@bad.org.uk, Website: www.bad.org.uk

3. Articles in the BJD can be viewed online: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/BJD
Study details: “Psoriasis is associated with increased levels of serum leptin”, correspondence to British Journal of Dermatology, Y. Wang*², J. Chen³, Y.Zhao*, L. Geng*, F. Song*, H-D. Chen*
* Department of Dermatology, No.1 Hospital of China Medical University, 155N Nanjing Street, Shenyang 110001, China.  ²Department of Dermatology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. ³Associates in Dermatology, Tuscon, AZ, USA.  DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2133-2008.08456.x

The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease.

Blackwell Publishing is a leading society publisher, partnering with 665 medical, academic and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and has over 6,000 books in print. In February 2007, Blackwell Publishing officially merged with John Wiley & Sons, Inc's Scientific, Technical and Medical business.

top of page

Dr Colin Holden, President of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which can have a huge physical and psychological impact, and as such patients require a high standard of care. This audit has produced data clearly showing that on a national level, the NHS is failing to provide patients with the level of care they deserve. Basic elements such as bathing facilities, appropriately trained staff and access to treatments are lacking to a worrying degree.”

Key survey results of hospital dermatology departments:

• 20% of units have no dermatology specialist nurses
• 32% do not have adequate bathing and showering facilities for adult in-patients
• In 41% of units, topical treatments were applied by nurses who had no dermatology training, or by the patients themselves  
• Only 40% of units had clinical psychology services available for patients
• 5% of units did not have the appropriately trained person, a medical physicist, monitoring the UV output of the phototherapy equipment, despite this being mandatory
• 39% are restricted in prescribing the new ‘biologic therapies’ which target the cause of psoriasis rather than the symptoms
• However, the average waiting time for routine appointments is only 10 weeks – below the maximum 12 week wait

Background:

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent disease that affects between one and three percent of the population and can require lengthy in-patient hospital treatment.

Dr David Eedy, dermatologist in County Armagh and one of the study’s authors, said: “Until recently most skin disease has been managed either by GPs, or for more severe or persistent cases, in hospital by specialist dermatologists with access to day-care and in-patient services. However, the Government’s initiative to provide ‘Care Closer to Home’ is changing the way such services are delivered.  The care for patients with psoriasis is also changing with the advent of more effective treatments such as the biologics.                                                

“We therefore conducted an audit of a hundred Dermatology Departments (‘units’) in the UK to assess their staffing and facilities for patients with psoriasis. The results exposed major discrepancies and a ‘postcode lottery’ in the care of patients. We will be making the government aware of our findings.”                

1.  Staffing

More than one in ten units (11%) have consultants who work in isolation, without other dermatologists. Furthermore, specialist dermatological nurses greatly enhance patient care, but one in five departments had no specialist nurses.

Dr Holden said: “Our audit shows that some dermatologists still work alone, but we would like to see clinical networks developed so that all consultants work within teams and have the support of colleagues. Also worrying is that 20 percent of units do not have dermatology specialist nurses to support and educate patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases, which enhances patients self-managing their treatment. This shortfall needs to be addressed.”

However, one positive finding of the audit is that patients with inflammatory skin diseases were waiting a median of 10 weeks for routine appointments – below the maximum 12 week wait.

2. Infrastructure and resources

The nature of certain topical treatments is such that precise application by trained staff is required to ensure no damage to healthy skin occurs, and that bathing facilities are available to remove the medication safely after the treatment time is complete.                                                                                                                          

However, according to the audit, a third of units did not have adequate bathing and showering facilities for adult in-patients. In addition, in 41 percent of units, topical treatments were applied by nurses who had no dermatology training, or by the patients themselves.

Dr Holden said: “Patients must have access to baths or showers - it is greatly disappointing that such basic facilities were perceived to be inadequate in a third of units. It is also worrying that so many nurses caring for dermatology inpatients have had no dermatological training and many in-patients have to apply their own treatments.”

The effect of the psychological, social and physical burden borne by patients with psoriasis is considerable. Indeed the emotional impact of psoriasis is such that as many as one in ten patients contemplate suicide, especially those of younger age.

However, the survey revealed that clinical psychology services were available for adults and children in only around 40 percent of units.

Dr Holden said: “The cumulative effect of the psychological, social and physical burden borne by patients with chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis, is considerable and clinical psychology services should be much more widely available for dermatology patients.”

3. Treatments

Conventional treatments for psoriasis include phototherapy (treatment with ultraviolet light), as well as tar preparations and a medication called dithranol, which are both applied to the skin. According to the survey, thirty-eight percent of units would consider using more crude coal tar and forty-six percent more dithranol if facilities were staffed by trained nurses, as skill and expertise are needed to apply and remove such treatments. Scalp treatments were not provided in a quarter (26%) of units. Over one third of pharmacies could not readily provide coal tar or dithranol preparations.

In 95% of units, a medical physicist monitored the UV output of the phototherapy equipment. It is mandatory that the UV output of phototherapy machines is monitored by a medical physicist- the safety of patients is compromised in those units (5%) without such arrangements.                                                                                              

According to Dr Holden: “Old fashioned treatments such as dithranol or tar are safe, effective and relatively cheap, albeit messy. Coal tar and dithranol still have a place in the management of some patients with psoriasis - both outpatients and inpatients - but units should invest in trained nurses and pharmacies to apply and supply the treatments respectively. Scalp psoriasis is particularly problematic for some patients, but a quarter of units denied patients the opportunity of outpatient scalp treatment.”

Advances in our understanding of psoriasis in the last two decades have emphasised the importance of the immune system in the development and maintenance of plaques of psoriasis. This has led to the development of a range of new therapies known as the ‘biologics’, which target the disease in the immune system rather than treating the symptoms. Evidence from large randomized, controlled trials demonstrates that biologic therapies significantly reduce the physical severity of psoriasis and improve quality of life. Biologic therapies seem likely to play an increasingly important part in the treatment of chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis.

However, thirty-nine percent of units stated that prescribing of biologics for psoriasis was restricted for financial reasons. Dr Holden said: “This somewhat exposes the myth of one NHS for all.  Patients are experiencing a ‘postcode lottery’ for biologics in the treatment of psoriasis, where there are wide differences in availability of the drugs. This is similar to the differing prescription charges across the borders.”                                            
 
Dr Holden concluded: “Apart from feeding back to the individual hospital trusts we plan to feed key findings from this audit to parliamentary bodies.  We will work with patient support groups to bring organizational deficiencies to the doorstep of the government.”

Chief Executive of the Psoriasis Association Gladys Edwards said: “The Psoriasis Association welcomes this much needed, long overdue initiative to clarify the treatment people with psoriasis are receiving. Sadly this report indicates that services for people with psoriasis, in many areas, falls short of acceptable standards. This report clearly highlights where there is room for improvement and we look forward to working with the BAD to emphasise the problems and ensure that people with psoriasis get a better deal in future.”

David Chandler, psoriasis patient and Chief Executive of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance, said: "The report supports anecdotal evidence from those that contact us about the inconsistencies of treatment and facilities in the UK. Living with a disease that affects you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is depressing enough, but to then find out that if you lived in a different location you would get better care is just an added burden."

-ends-
Notes to editors:

For more information please contact:  Nina Goad, Communications Manager, British Association of Dermatologists, Phone: 0207 391 6355, Email: nina@bad.org.uk, Website: www.bad.org.uk

Spokespeople and report authors available for interview on request.

Click here to see the full report (775KB). Study details: “An audit of provision of dermatology services in secondary care in the United Kingdom with a focus on the care of people with psoriasis”, commissioned by the British Association of Dermatologists, conducted by the British Association of Dermatologists and the Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit, Royal College of Physicians. Responses from 100 units in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were received between February and August 2007 and the national report compiled in January 2008.

The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease.

The Royal College of Physicians is a registered charity that aims to ensure high quality care for patients by promoting the highest standards of medical practice. It provides and sets standards in clinical practice and education and training, conducts assessments and examinations, quality assures external audit programmes, supports doctors in their practice of medicine, and advises the Government, public and the profession on health care issues. The RCP Clinical Standards Department produces guidelines and clinical audits, working closely with specialty societies and other organisations in the field to improve patient care.

top of page

A traditional Finnish folk medicine concoction of resin from the Norwegian spruce tree mixed with salt-free butter has been found to be effective at treating severe pressure ulcers, new research in the British Journal of Dermatology will reveal.

Resin salve treatment has been used for centuries in Finnish Lapland as self-care in treatment of wounds and skin ulcers. However, until now reports on its efficacy have been merely anecdotal and no formal testing has been done.

A team of scientists in Finland therefore conducted a study of 22 patients with a total of 29 severe pressure ulcers – open sores caused by pressure or friction and common in people who have reduced mobility, perhaps due to long term bed-rest or old age.

They compared the effect of the traditional resin salve with a control of ‘sodium carboxymethylcellulose hydrocolloid polymer’, an accepted treatment for pressure ulcers. Both treatments were accompanied by dressings, which were changed either daily or every three days depending on the level of infection.

During the six month treatment period, all ulcers healed in 92 percent of the resin group, compared to just 44 percent of the control group. Also, the speed of ulcer healing was significantly faster in the resin group. Furthermore, the resin salve was found to be more effective at reducing the size and healing the ulcer as well as reducing the bacteria present.

Interestingly, the superior effect of the resin salve only showed after three months of treatment. The team therefore think that as well as its antimicrobial qualities, the resin salve may also induce cell and tissue regeneration, suggesting it does not just fight infection but actively encourages healing as well.

According to the study, the resin has significant antibacterial activity against certain skin bacteria, including MRSA, and also has antifungal properties.

Dr Arno Sipponen, one of the researchers, said: “This study has documented a statistically significantly better healing rate of severe pressure ulcers among patients who were treated with a traditional resin salve than among those who were treated conventionally with a ‘modern’ option considered to be the most available treatment at present.”                                                                                                                                                            

The study’s authors estimate that as many as a third of people in acute or long-term care develop pressure ulcers. A previous study* estimated that the cost of pressure ulcers in the UK is between £1.4 billion and £2.1 billion annually – four percent of total NHS expenditure.

Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “Pressure ulcers can be very difficult to treat, and cause great pain and discomfort to the patient. The disorder basically involves having a large open wound that will not heal and can become infected.

“Unfortunately current treatments aren’t always successful, so any advances that could lead to new therapies are worth investigating. It will be interesting to see what larger, follow-up studies into resin reveal.”

By simply using a sharp knife, the resin was collected from the trucks of Norway spruce trees in Finnish Lapland, and prepared in the traditional way by mixing it with salt-free butter, boiling the concoction and allowing it to cool to form a salve.

Pressure ulcers particularly affect people with mobility problems and people with poor diets who are malnourished. Diabetes, certain drugs and smoking also increase the risk.

-Ends-
Notes to editors:

1. If using this information, please ensure you mention that the study is being released in the British Journal of Dermatology, the official publication of the British Association of Dermatologists.

2. For more information please contact:  Nina Goad, British Association of Dermatologists, Communications Manager, Phone: 0207 391 6355, Email: nina@bad.org.uk, Website: www.bad.org.uk

3. Articles in the BJD can be viewed online: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/BJD
Study details: British Journal of Dermatology, est. publication date March 2008, “Beneficial effect of resin salve in treatment of severe pressure ulcers: a prospective, randomized and controlled multicentre trial.” A. Sipponen, J.J. Jokinen*, P. Sipponen¹, A. Papp², S. Sarna³, J. Lohi ‡;

Dept of Surgery, Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland; *Dept of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; ¹Divisision of Pathology, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; ²BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Unit, Vancouver General Hospital, Canada; ³Dept of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland; ‡Rovaniem Health Care Centre, Finland. DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2133.2008.08461.X

4. *Statistics relating to cost of pressure ulcers in the UK can be found in: Age and Ageing 2004; 33: 230-235, “The cost of pressure ulcers in the UK”, Gerry Bennett*, Carol Dealey² and John Posnett³; *Barts and the London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK; ²School of Health Sciences, University of Birmingham and University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, UK; ³University of York and Smith & Nephew Wound Management, Hull, UK

The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease.

Blackwell Publishing is a leading society publisher, partnering with 665 medical, academic and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and has over 6,000 books in print. In February 2007, Blackwell Publishing officially merged with John Wiley & Sons, Inc's Scientific, Technical and Medical business. For more information on Blackwell Publishing, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com or www.blackwell-synergy.com.

top of page

Black pepper could provide a new treatment for the skin disease vitiligo, groundbreaking new research in the British Journal of Dermatology will reveal.

Vitiligo is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment and so become white. It is common, and affects about one in every hundred people. It is of particular concern in people with darker skins. Current treatments include corticosteroids applied to the skin, and phototherapy using UV radiation (UVR) to re-pigment the skin. Both, however, carry possible long-term side effects and are not always effective. In particular, less than a quarter of patients respond successfully to corticosteroids, while UVR causes a re-pigmentation that is spotted and patchy and in the long-term could lead to a higher risk of skin cancer.

But now a team of scientists at King’s College London have discovered that piperine - the compound that gives black pepper its spicy, pungent flavour - and its synthetic derivatives can stimulate pigmentation in the skin, especially when combined with UVR treatment.

The researchers compared the effects of piperine and its analogues tetrahydrpiperine (THP), cyclohexyl analogue of piperine (CHP) and reduced CHP (rCHP) when applied to the skin of mice, either alone or followed by UVR. Treatment was also interrupted in certain groups to see how long-term the effects would be.

While CHP did not show significant results, piperine, THP and rCHP did induce pigmentation in the skin. Used alone, the compounds stimulated pigmentation to an even, light brown colour within six weeks.
However, by accompanying use of piperine or THP with UVR, the skin became significantly darker, and within only seven weeks. Furthermore, the pigmentation was even, compared to the patchy pigmentation caused by UVR treatment alone.

The researchers also found that for skin treated with a piperine compound, just four exposures of UVR were sufficient to significantly darken the skin. However, when using UVR alone, more than 10 exposures were needed to produce a similar but less even response.

The results also took longer to fade in those treated with both a piperine compound and UVR, and did not disappear completely. By contrast, there was no remaining detectable pigmentation within the same timeframe for skin treated only with UVR.

Additionally, when treatment was resumed, results were noticeable faster in the group treated with piperine compounds.

The team believe that their remarkable findings are due to piperine stimulating the production of the skin’s pigment cells, called melanocytes.

Lead investigator and Associate Professor, Oregon Health & Science University, USA, Dr Amala Soumyanath said: “This is an important step in a multidisciplinary drug discovery program. We have moved from testing plant extracts in pigment cell cultures, to identifying active natural compounds and designing novel chemical analogues, and now confirmed activity of these compounds in whole animals. Our next goal is to move the work to humans through safety studies and clinical trials.”

Professor Antony Young, Photobiologist at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, King’s College London, and another of the study’s authors, said: “We have shown that topical treatment with piperine stimulates even pigmentation in the skin. Combining this with UVR significantly enhances the pigmentation with results that are cosmetically better than conventional vitiligo therapies. This provides strong support for the future clinical evaluation of piperine and its derivatives as novel treatments for vitiligo.”

Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “These findings could potentially lead to the development of treatments that not only provide improved results, but could also reduce the need for UV radiation in vitiligo treatment, in turn lowering the risk of skin cancer.

“Vitiligo is a highly visible disease that can greatly affect patients psychologically and emotionally. Any breakthrough in treatments of this disease is most welcome.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors:
1. If using this information, please ensure you mention that the study is being released in the British Journal of Dermatology, the official publication of the British Association of Dermatologists.

2. For more information please contact:  Nina Goad, British Association of Dermatologists, Communications Manager, Phone: 0207 391 6355, Email: nina@bad.org.uk, Website: www.bad.org.uk

3. Articles in the BJD can be viewed online: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/BJD
4. Study details: “In vivo evaluation of piperine and synthetic analogues as potential treatments for vitiligo using a sparsely pigmented mouse model”, L. Faas*, R. Venkatasamy*, R.C. Hider*, A.R. Young², A. Soumyanath*; DOI 10.1111/J.1365-2133.2008.08464.X; expected publication March 2008
*Department of Pharmacy, King’s College London; ²St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s Hospital, London

The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease.

Blackwell Publishing is a leading society publisher, partnering with 665 medical, academic and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and has over 6,000 books in print. In February 2007, Blackwell Publishing officially merged with John Wiley & Sons, Inc's Scientific, Technical and Medical business. For more information on Blackwell Publishing, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com or www.blackwell-synergy.com.

top of page

"Merkel cell cancer is rare but very serious type of skin cancer which has a poor prognosis. Any hint of what causes it would help identify possibilities for medical treatment and perhaps preventative measures. The research is sophisticated and exciting that may be applicable to other skin cancers." Dr Colin Holden, President of the British Association of Dermatologists

PA story: Embargoed to 1900 Thursday January 17
NEW VIRUS LINKED TO DEADLY SKIN CANCER
By John von Radowitz, PA Science Correspondent

Scientists have linked a newly discovered virus to a rare but deadly form of skin cancer.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive disease which develops in the nerve cells that respond to touch.
It spreads rapidly to other tissues and organs, killing two thirds of its victims within five years.

Researchers today reported that a previously unknown virus, named Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), is closely associated with the disease.

While they cannot yet confirm that MCV triggers the cancer, other members of the polyomavirus family have been shown to cause cancers in animals for more than 50 years.

MCV shares some of the characteristics of human papilloma virus (HPV) which is responsible for cervical cancer.
Scientists in Pittsburgh, US, took almost 10 years to track down the virus.

They made the discovery by analysing nearly 400,000 genetic sequences from four samples of MCC tumour tissue. These were then compared with gene sequences from the complete genetic code book mapped by the Human Genome Project.
Subtracting the known human sequences left the genetic thumb print of the new polyomavirus.

Professor Patrick Moore, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, who led the research, said: "This is the first polyomavirus to be strongly associated with a particular type of human tumour. Although polyomaviruses have been studied in relation to cancer development for years, the weight of scientific evidence had been leaning toward the view that these viruses do not cause human cancers.

"If these findings are confirmed, we can look at how this new virus contributes to a very bad cancer with high mortality and, just as importantly, use it as a model to understand how cancers occur and the cell pathways that are targeted. Information that we gain could possibly lead to a blood test or vaccine that improves disease management and aids in prevention."
MCC and three other rare cancers together make up about 1% of the 67,500 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the UK each year.

top of page

"Stem cells involved in cancer can prove elusive, so discovering those that may cause melanoma could be an important breathrough, especially if  this leads to treatments that could target the damage caused by these cells. Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, killing 2000 people every year in the UK alone, so research developments in this area are most welcome." Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists

PA story, Embargoed to 1800 Wednesday January 16

HOPES FOR NEW SKIN CANCER TREATMENTS WITH STEM CELL DISCOVERY
By John von Radowitz, PA Science Correspondent

Rogue stem cells that trigger and fuel malignant skin cancer have been discovered, paving the way to new treatments.

Stem cells, unspecialised "mother" cells that can develop along different pathways, are thought to be the driving force behind many cancers.

Their ability to resist treatment is thought to make some tumours especially dangerous. However, only a
handful of cancer stem cells have been found so far.

Stem cells for malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer and one of the most aggressive cancers
known, have now joined the list.

They were identified by a team of international scientists led by Dr Markus Frank, from Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts, US.

The elusive stem cells were recognised by their ability to produce high levels of a protein called ABCB5. The protein helps pump drugs out of cells, making them resistant to chemotherapy.

Tumours containing the stem cells grew faster and spread more quickly than those without, the scientists reported in the journal Nature.

Transplanted into immunodeficient mice, ABCB5-producing cells from human melanomas triggered many more melanomas than those not producing the protein.

The cells also divided into separate subtypes, a behaviour typical of stem cells.

Mice treated with an antibody that neutralised the protein produced tumours that grew far more slowly.

The researchers hope human versions of the same antibody might prove an effective treatment for melanoma.

They wrote: "Identification of tumour-initiating cells with enhanced abundance in more advanced disease but susceptibility to specific targeting ... has important implications for cancer therapy."