Applied Genetics Inc. Dermatics' Clinical Findings of `Morning After' Skin Cancer Prevention Drug Announced at Photomedicine Society Meeting at the American Academy of Dermatology.Health/Medical Writers FREEPORT, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--March 15, 2001 AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) A machine intelligence that resembles that of a human being. Considered impossible by many, most artificial intelligence (AI) research, projects and products deal with specific applications such as industrial robots, playing chess, Drug Prevents Skin Cancer by Delivering Purified DNA Repair Enzyme in Liposomes Liposomes Aqueous compartments enclosed by lipid bilayer membranes; liposomes are also known as lipid vesicles. Phospholipid molecules consist of an elongated nonpolar (hydrophobic) structure with a polar (hydrophilic) structure at one end. to Skin; Awaiting FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. Approval Daniel B. Yarosh, Ph.D., President of AGI Dermatics Inc, announced for the first time the results of a clinical study showing prevention of skin cancer by a new biotechnology drug. The presentation was made at the recent Photomedicine Society meeting, held in conjunction with the American Academy of Dermatology The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is the largest organization of dermatologists in the world. The Academy grants Fellowships and Associate Memberships, as well as Fellowships for Nonresidents (of the United States of America or Canada). . The drug is applied topically to the skin, once a day, and uses liposomes to deliver DNA repair enzymes into the skin that reverse the DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. damage caused by sunlight. David Leffell, MD, a Yale University Dermatologist, calls this "the biggest advance since sunscreens. This topical lotion is a new approach to preventing skin cancer in all people damaged by sunlight." Dr. Yarosh told participants that: "The Food and Drug Administration is currently considering the drug for Xeroderma Pigmentosum xeroderma pig·men·to·sum n. A rare hereditary skin disorder caused by a defect in the enzymes that repair DNA damaged by ultraviolet light and resulting in hypersensitivity to the carcinogenic effect of ultraviolet light. (XP) patients. And, AGI is about to launch clinical trials of the drug for the patient population at risk for skin cancer. Ultimately, it is hoped that the drug will be available to the general public within 24-36 months." A one-year study was conducted with patients with the genetic disease XP, also referred to as Children of the Night, who lack DNA repair and easily develop skin cancer. The drug reduced their skin cancer rate by 30% and reduced the pre-cancerous form by 68%, over and above the protection from the patients' use of sunscreens. Explains Dr. Yarosh: "XP is a disease that accelerates the effects of the sun. We see skin cancers in 8-year-old XP patients that take decades in otherwise healthy people. T4N T4N Thanks for Nothing 5 liposome liposome (lī`pəsōm', lĭp`ə–), microscopic, fluid-filled pouch whose walls are made of layers of phospholipids identical to the phospholipids that make up cell membranes. lotion supplements the missing enzyme in this disease and reduces the rate at which cancers develop." Dr. Yarosh adds: "The excited reception this announcement received, both at the Photomedicine Society and the Academy's Task Force on XP, was the most rewarding experience of my professional career. It demonstrates the eagerness of dermatologists to have such a drug one day soon in their medicine cabinet for protection against sun damage and skin cancer." T4N5 Liposomes Lotion (tradename Dimericine(tm)) is the lead drug of AGI Dermatics. About AGI Dermatics Applied Genetics, Inc. Dermatics is a private biopharmaceutical company focusing on the dermatology and lifestyle enhancement market. The company invents and acquires new molecular biology technology and applies it to products for personal care, dermatology, and cancer diagnosis and prevention. These products include consumer products as well as over-the-counter (OTC OTC See: Over-the-counter. OTC See over-the-counter market (OTC). ) and prescription drugs. AGI is commercializing products that repair DNA and restore health damaged by age or the environment, tracking the demands of our changing demographics. Among the fields of biotechnology, AGI is a world leader in liposome dermatics, the application of liposome technology to skin, and DNA repair. |
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