DermTech, Inc. has initiated enrollment in a clinical study to assess DNA damage induced by an excimer laser and evaluate the potential of T4 endonuclease topical DNA repair enzyme and photolyase cream to reduce this DNA damage as measured through gene expression analysis. The study is being conducted in healthy volunteers and subjects with a history of skin cancer, at a single-site under Dr. Ronald L. Moy, past president of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The purpose of the study is to mimic DNA damage as seen with acute excessive sun exposure and determine if the use of DermTech’s proprietary non-invasive adhesive patch kits can detect this DNA damage through a panel of markers. The skin is then subsequently assessed to see if topical products can reduce this damage. Clinical study results are expected Q4 2018.

“The ability to assess and quantify RNA gene expression and DNA damage in the skin will give us a better way to rate sunscreens and medications that can reverse and prevent sun damage. This new methodology could revolutionize our application of sun damage prophylaxis and treatment regimens,” said Dr. Moy.