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Carcinogenesis Advance Access published online on November 20, 2008
Carcinogenesis, doi:10.1093/carcin/bgn248
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Oral nicotinamide protects against ultraviolet radiation-induced immunosuppression in humans

Eleni Yiasemides, Geetha Sivapirabu, Gary M Halliday, Joohong Park and Diona L Damian

Dermatology, Sydney Cancer Centre, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown New South Wales, Australia

Correspondence: A/Professor Diona Damian, Department of Dermatology, Gloucester House Level 3, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Rd, Camperdown NSW 2050 Australia, Phone: +61 2 9515 8295, Fax: +61 2 9565 1048, email: diona.damian{at}email.cs.nsw.gov.au

Cutaneous immunity, which is a key defence against the development of skin cancers, is suppressed by even small doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Preventing this UV-induced immunosuppression may therefore reduce the incidence of skin cancer. Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) has immune-protective and cancer-preventive effects against UV radiation in mice, and we have previously shown that topical nicotinamide is immune-protective in humans. Using the Mantoux model of skin immunity in healthy volunteers, we compared oral nicotinamide to placebo (both administered for one week) in a randomised, double-blinded cross-over design against the effects of solar-simulated (ss) UV radiation on delayed type hypersensitivity to tuberculin purified protein derivative. Discrete areas of the back were irradiated with low doses of ssUV daily for 3 consecutive days. Immunosuppression, calculated as the difference in Mantoux-induced erythema of irradiated sites compared to unirradiated control sites, was determined in volunteers taking oral nicotinamide and placebo. Significant immunosuppression occurred in a UV-dose dependent manner in the presence of placebo. Oral nicotinamide, at doses of either 1500mg or 500mg daily, was well-tolerated and significantly reduced UV-immunosuppression with no immune effects in unirradiated skin. Oral nicotinamide is safe and inexpensive and looks promising as a chemopreventive supplement for reducing the immunosuppressive effects of sunlight.

Key Words: Niacin • Vitamin B3 • Photoprotection • Skin cancer • Delayed type hypersensitivity

Received August 25, 2008; revised October 7, 2008; accepted October 27, 2008.


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