Benefits of oral Polypodium Leucotomos extract in MM high-risk patients

Background: UV radiation and the presence of melanocytic nevi are the main risk factors of sporadic melanoma (MM). Protection of skin by an oral photoprotective agent would have substantial benefits. Objective: We investigated the possible role of an oral Polypodium leucotomos (PL) extract to improve systemic photoprotection in patients at risk of skin cancer analyzing the ability to decrease UV‐induced erythema. We also studied the interaction among MC1R polymorphisms and CDKN2A status with the minimal erythematous dose (MED) and their influence in the response after oral PL. Methods: A total of 61 patients (25 with familial and/or multiple MM, 20 with sporadic MM and 16 with atypical mole syndrome without history of MM) were exposed to varying doses of artificial UVB radiation without and after oral administration of a total dose of 1080mg of PL. Results: Oral PL treatment significantly increased the MED mean in all group patients (0.123 to 0.161 J/cm2, p