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Melatonin containing cream prevents some radiation induced skin reactions

Early results presented at ASCO's Breast Cancer Symposium

October 5, 2010

Cream containing melatonin appears to protect against severe skin reactions following radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer in some women, according to a small study presented at the Amercian Society of Clinical Oncology's 2010 Breast Cancer Symposium in National Harbor, MD. 

In a randomized, double-blind study of 47 women receiving RT following breast-conserving surgery, 59% of those receiving the melatonin containing cream experienced grade 1 or 2 acute dermatitis or skin toxicity, compared with 90% of those receiving a placebo cream.  The protection was most significant in older women.  Among women over 50, 56% of those receiving the melatonin containing cream experienced grade 1 or 2 toxicities, compared with 100% of those receving the placebo cream.

Investigators plan to validate the results in a larger, Phase III trial.