ISRCTN ISRCTN97738113
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN97738113
Secondary identifying numbers 12049
Submission date
19/07/2012
Registration date
19/07/2012
Last edited
26/10/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

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 summer’s 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

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial/a-study-measuring-the-risks-and-benefits-of-exposure-to-sunlight

Contact information

Prof Lesley Rhodes
Scientific

Photobiology Unit
Dermatology Centre
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-9107-6654
Phone +44 161 306 6000
Email lesley.e.rhodes@manchester.ac.uk

Study information

Study designExperimental study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleBiomarkers of ultraviolet (UVR) exposure: tools for determining the relationship between the benefits and hazards of UVR
Study objectivesUrinary 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(s)University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee, 06/12/2011, ref: 11266
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedTopic: Skin; Subtopic: Skin (all Subtopics); Disease: Dermatology
InterventionParticipants 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 typeOther
Primary outcome measureUrinary DNA damage; Timepoint(s): Up to 14 days post exposure
Secondary outcome measures1. 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 study start date16/04/2012
Completion date31/05/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit45 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 75; UK Sample Size: 75
Total final enrolment65
Key inclusion criteria1. 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
Key exclusion criteria1. 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
Date of first enrolment16/04/2012
Date of final enrolment31/05/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Photobiology Unit
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Manchester (UK)
University/education

FMHS Research Office
3.53 Simon Building
Manchester
M13 9PT
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/027m9bs27

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Cancer Research UK (UK)
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Alternative name(s)
CR_UK, Cancer Research UK - London, CRUK
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing planNot provided at time of registration

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/10/2018 22/01/2019 Yes No
Plain English results 26/10/2022 No Yes

Editorial Notes

25/10/2022: Cancer Research UK plain English results link and total final enrolment added.
22/01/2019: Publication reference added
06/12/2016: No publications found in PubMed, verifying study status with principal investigator.