Pronounced Decrease In Malignant Melanoma Tumor Volume Produced By Dermytol

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Dermatology;  Biology / Biochemistry;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 08 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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A new study presented at the Experimental Biology Annual Meeting shows that a proprietary blend extracted from canola, Dermytol™, produces a pronounced reduction of malignant melanoma cell growth. Dermytol™, a proprietary compound developed by KGK Synergize Inc., a biotechnology company in Ontario Canada, is designed to protect skin cells from damage that may lead to skin cancer.

Mal Evans, DVM, MSc, PhD, KGK Synergize Inc's Scientific Director, said, "Skin cancer rates have been rising, and we are likely to see that continue as the population ages. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that more than 62,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma and one million Americans will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer this year. NCI expects more than 8,000 deaths from melanoma and less than 1,000 deaths from non-melanoma cancers this year.

"Dermytol™ has the potential to be used in anti-aging and sun-protection products to reduce damage to skin. Results of preclinical trials in animals have been promising leading to human trials now running in both Canada and the United States.

In the most recent study, male mice were fed either a Dermytol™-canola oil mixture or just canola oil. In a separate part of the study, researchers applied either a Dermytol™ cream or a placebo cream onto the shaved skin of a different group of mice. After seven days of treatment, all of the mice were injected with malignant melanoma tumor cells. Dermytol™ or placebo treatments continued for 25 days.

The mice in both Dermytol™ groups benefited from their treatments. Compared to the controls, the orally treated mice showed an average decrease in tumor size by about 45 percent. The mice receiving the topical treatment benefited even more with a 61 percent decrease in tumor volume.

In this study and previous preclinical studies, Dermytol™ produced no adverse effects.

In a laboratory cell culture study, Dermytol™ inhibited the proliferation of human cancer cells.

In another study, dietary supplementation with Dermytol™ moderately delayed the onset of skin tumors and significantly reduced tumor growth rate in mice treated to induce non-melanoma skin cancers.

A trial involving 45 subjects with actinic keratoses - precancerous skin lesions - is underway. "The current treatment for actinic keratoses is removal by freezing which can be painful or the application of a cream that causes inflammation and blistering of the skin," said Evans. "We expect Dermytol™ to be a welcome option."

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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About KGK Synergize Inc:

KGK Synergize provides contract research services to the health nutrition, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries which include analytical chemistry, in vitro assays, in vivo models, toxicology and human clinical trials.

In addition to its contract research capabilities, KGK has a Product Development Division which brings new and innovative natural health products to the point where they are ready to be manufactured and marketed. These products include SytrinolTM for cardiovascular health, DiabetinolTM for the treatment and/or prevention of Type II Diabetes, and DermytolTM, a new product for the protection of sun damage to the skin.

For further information please go to:
http://www.kgksynergize.com/

Source: Jeff Nedelman
Strategic Communications