Nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention

Abstract

Nicotinamide (vitamin B 3 ) has a range of photoprotective effects in vitro and in vivo; it enhances DNA repair, reduces UV radiation-induced suppression of skin immune responses, modulates inflammatory cytokine production and skin barrier function and restores cellular energy levels after UV exposure. Pharmacological doses of nicotinamide have been shown to reduce actinic keratoses and nonmelanoma skin cancer incidence in high-risk individuals, making this a nontoxic and accessible option for skin cancer chemoprevention in this population.

Use of LC‐MS analysis to elucidate by‐products of niacinamide transformation following in vitro skin permeation studies

“…Pyridine‐3‐carboxamide, also known as niacinamide (NIA), is used in many pharmaceutical and personal care formulations for the improvement of skin barrier function, management of acne, and amelioration of the symptoms of atopic dermatitis . The widespread use of NIA (Table ) in skin care highlights the importance of understanding the percutaneous penetration and skin distribution of this molecule .…”

Role of Nicotinamide in Genomic Stability and Skin Cancer Chemoprevention

“…Many foods, including meat, fish, eggs, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, and grains contain NAM. However, NAM is also de novo synthetized (Figure 1) by tryptophan metabolism [1]. After ingestion, NAM is readily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and widely distributed in the body tissues [2].…”

Nicotinamide as a chemopreventive therapy of skin cancers. Too much of good thing?

“…Because the beneficial effects of nicotinamide on skin cancer prevention may be due to immune-modulatory phenomenon (Damian, 2017), it is worth noting that these studies were carried out in immune-compromised mice.…”