A review and update on melanocyte stimulating hormone therapy: afamelanotide
Fabrikant, J.; Touloei, K.; Brown, S.M.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Jdd 12(7): 775-779
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1545-9616 PMID: 23884489 Document Number: 10623
Afamelanotide ([Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH) is an analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone given as a subcutaneous injection. Afamelanotide is currently undergoing phase II and III trials in Europe and the US for skin diseases including vitiligo, erythropoietic protoporphyria, polymorphic light eruption and prevention of actinic keratoses in organ transplant recipients. Unregulated analogs and chemicals are being sold online ahead of formal approval. A number of counterfeit chemicals, 'Melanotans' are being sold for tanning purposes. Currently, afamelanotide is already on the market in Italy and Switzerland for patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria. This paper will review the current literature on this promising compound.
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