Ultraviolet Radiation and Man - Immunologic and Carcinogenic Effects

Objective

Determination of ultraviolet radiation-induced oncogene and tumour suppressor gene expression in humans of various skin types and ages and determination of the action spectrum in vivo in humans. The effect of UV-B radiation on the release of inflammatory and immunologic mediators will be studied in vitro and in human subjects in vivo relating the effects to skin type. The relationship between DNA photolesions and cytokine production in human keratinocytes will also be determined in vivo in different skin types. Identification and risk assessment of groups at risk of skin cancer. Assessment of methods of determining UV-B radiation susceptibility in humans with a view to developing an objective methodology.


The incidence of skin cancer, the commonest malignancy affecting man in the western world, is steadily rising, and with continued depletion of stratospheric ozone this trend is likely to become worse. The major risk factors for the development of skin cancer relate to UV-B radiation exposure and skin type. This proposal will examine the inflammatory, immunologic and carcinogenic effects of UV-B radiation relating each to skin type to see whether it is possible to identify those in the population most at risk of skin cancer. The dose and action spectrum of UV-B radiation required for these effects will enable more accurate prediction of the consequences of ozone depletion in the long term. Population studies of the prevalence of skin types will be carried out together with assessment of personal exposure. Standardisation of methods of measuring minimal erythema doses together with objective measurement of skin type will enable extrapolation of our results to the general population. These studies will greatly expand present knowledge of the effects of excessive sun-exposure on the skin. The complexity of the molecular events in human skin caused by excessive UV-B is such that further progress is possible only with a concerted approach as in this project. These studies will also greatly benefit each participating centre by increasing the scope of the laboratory and by providing access to new technology.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › oncology › skin cancer
• natural sciences › biological sciences › genetics › DNA
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › environmental sciences › ozone depletion

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 040203 - Environment and human health

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Address

D 9,beaumont Road
2 Dublin
Ireland

Participants (3)

Københavns Universitet

Denmark

Address

9,blegdamsvej
2100 København

United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas's Hospitals

United Kingdom

Address

Lambeth Palace Road
SE1 7EH London

Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster

Germany

Address

Von Esmarch Straße 56
48149 Münster