Fight skin cancer with coffee?

Caffeine reduces the risk of skin cancer

17/08/2011

Coffee could be the key to reducing skin cancers. The caffeine they contain when applied to the skin leads to a significant reduction in skin cancer risk, report US scientists at Rudgers University, New Jersey in the current issue of the journal „Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences“ (PNAS).

The caffeine contained in the coffee has „a suppressive effect on those skin cancers caused by UV radiation“, Allan Conney of Rudgers University and colleagues suspect the publication of their study results in the journal PNAS. In laboratory studies with mice, the caffeine apparently has the gene „ATR“ suppressed and thus led to the death of cells damaged by UV light. These DNA-damaged cells are usually the cause of the development of skin cancer and so reduces the caffeine when applied to the skin significantly the skin cancer risk, explain the US researchers.

Reduction of skin cancer risk by applying caffeine
In the context of their study, the US researchers investigated on the basis of mice whose ATR gene was defective, a possible link between skin cancer and the coffee ingredient caffeine. Over a period of nineteen weeks, the genetically modified rodents were exposed to UV radiation, with mice with ATR gene defects having developed 69 percent less skin cancer than those from the control group. However, the statement is limited only to the so-called squamous cell carcinomas, which suffered most of the animals, but in humans in relation to other skin cancers such as malignant melanoma rather seem harmless. However, the researchers led by Allan Conney at Rudgers University were also able to decipher the molecular mechanism that they believe suggests at least the possibility, „that caffeine has a suppressive effect on those skin cancers that are caused by UV radiation.“ Applying the caffeine to the skin could block the ART gene and prevent the proliferation of potential cancer cells, the US scientists say. In addition, caffeine not only block the ATR signaling pathway, but also contributes directly to the sunscreen, so the use of sun creams should be considered.

Caffeine as a component of sun creams?
Although the US scientists point to the need for further studies before the use of caffeine in sun creams into consideration, but in general, the coffee ingredient could bring quite an advantage when applied to the skin. However, as the study is limited to squamous cell carcinoma and is by no means one of the deadliest skin cancers, potential side effects of caffeine and any adverse consequences associated with the development of other types of skin cancer must be thoroughly investigated in further studies. Because squamous cell carcinomas are relatively common, but are much less aggressive than the so-called „black skin cancer“ (Malignant melanoma), in which about four times more people die, the statement of the US researchers. If the caffeine at the same time increase the risk of malignant melanoma, so would be foreseeable use despite the positive effects of squamous cell carcinoma, the scientists said. (Fp)

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New drugs against skin cancer presented
White skin cancer is rapidly increasing
Dangerous black skin cancer
Sunscreen does not protect against skin cancer
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Study: Coffee and tea are good for the heart

Image: Simone Hainz