Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Sunshine has both positive and negative effects on health. Humans require sunlight to manufacture vitamin D in the skin however too much sun exposure can cause DNA damage, photo aging and skin cancer. Products of DNA damage repair are excreted in urine making them potentially useful indicators of sunlight exposure and hence risk of skin cancer. This study aims to validate DNA damage in urine as a marker of ultraviolet rays (UVR)-induced skin DNA damage. We will also assess the applicability of urinary DNA damage to assessment of the risk (DNA damage) versus benefit (vitamin D production) of UVR exposure.
Who can participate?
This study will involve healthy male and female adults of all skin types, aged 18-45 years from Greater Manchester.
What does the study involve?
Subjects will first have their sunburn threshold determined then will receive a single, whole body (exposing 35% skin surface area) exposure below this threshold, mimicking a short exposure to sunlight on a summers day. Subjects will then collect their urine for five days which will be tested for products of DNA damage. In the second part of the study, subjects will receive four increasing doses of UVR (all below their sunburn threshold), separated by 1 month. Urine and skin biopsy samples will be taken before and after exposure to examine for DNA damage. In addition, blood samples will be taken before and after exposure for vitamin D analysis.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This study will not provide direct benefit to research participants. However, if any participant taking part is found to have vitamin D levels defined as deficient, their GP will be notified in order that appropriate treatment/advice may be given. Following UVR exposure for sunburn threshold testing, transient redness will be experienced on the exposed area. Tanning of the skin may occur in areas where UVR has been applied. Slight discomfort or bruising may be experienced during blood sampling but this is minimised by using experienced venepuncture practitioners. Skin biopsies on the buttocks may result in small permanent scars.
Where is the study run from?
Photobiology Unit, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
This study will run from June 2012 for 30 months.
Who is funding the study?
Cancer Research UK
Who is the main contact?
Jessica Edwards, Research Associate Jessica.edwards@manchester.ac.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Prof Lesley Rhodes
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9107-6654
Contact details
Photobiology Unit
Dermatology Centre
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom
+44 161 306 6000
lesley.e.rhodes@manchester.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
12049
Study information
Scientific title
Biomarkers of ultraviolet (UVR) exposure: tools for determining the relationship between the benefits and hazards of UVR
Acronym
Study hypothesis
Urinary DNA damage repair products are ideal biomarkers of UVR exposure and are potential intermediate biomarkers for skin cancer risk, as their presence in urine is related to both UVR exposure and DNA repair.
Ethics approval
University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee, 06/12/2011, ref: 11266
Study design
Experimental study
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Non randomised study
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Diagnostic
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Topic: Skin; Subtopic: Skin (all Subtopics); Disease: Dermatology
Intervention
Participants exposing approximately 35% skin surface area will receive a single, whole body exposure to UVR of 0.8 MED. Urine collected over the following 5 days will be analysed to determine the time of maximal DNA damage product concentration. Participants will then receive 4 increasing whole body doses of UVR (0.2-0.8 MED) each separated by 1 month. DNA damage in urine collected at the optimal time point and in skin biopsies taken immediately and 48 h after exposure will be compared to that in samples taken pre-exposure. Serum 25(OH)D will also be assessed.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Urinary DNA damage; Timepoint(s): Up to 14 days post exposure
Secondary outcome measures
1. Time of maximal DNA damage product concentration in urine following acute UVR exposure
2. Minimum dose of UVR required to produce detectable levels of DNA damage in urine
3. Level of DNA damage in skin biopsy sections following acute UVR
4. Concentration of serum 25(OH)D following acute UVR exposure
Overall trial start date
16/04/2012
Overall trial end date
31/05/2014
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Healthy, ambulant human volunteers
2. Aged 18-45 years
3. Sun reactive skin types I-VI
4. Non smokers
5. Body mass index (BMI) of less than 30
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
Planned Sample Size: 75; UK Sample Size: 75
Participant exclusion criteria
1. History of skin cancer or photosensitivity disorder
2. Taking photoactive medication
3. Sunbathing or sunbed use in the past 3 months
4. Taking dietary supplements containing vitamin D or antioxidants
Recruitment start date
16/04/2012
Recruitment end date
31/05/2014
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Photobiology Unit
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom
Funders
Funder type
Charity
Funder name
Cancer Research UK (UK)
Alternative name(s)
CRUK
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
Other non-profit organizations
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
1. 2018 results in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29730334 (added 22/01/2019)