Photoprotective Effects of a SPF50+ Sunscreen on Skin Genotoxicity Induced by Repeated Chronic Outdoor Sun Exposure

Evaluation of the Photoprotective Effects of a SPF50+ Sunscreen on Photo-induced Cell Damage in Epidermal and Urine Samples, Following a Repeated Chronic Outdoor Sun Exposure in Healthy Adults

Between 2 and 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year. Sun protection continues to be a major public health issue and has always been a priority research area for Pierre Fabre laboratories. The involvement of ultraviolet radiation of the solar spectrum in skin carcinogenesis is well known, through its ability to damage the DNA of skin cells and the induction of oxidative processes.

The aim of this exploratory study is to perform the quantification of:

• DNA photoproducts excised from the genome by the biological repair systems in urine samples
• cellular DNA damage in the epidermis following chronic exposure to natural sunlight.

This study will allow us to better understand and quantify the benefit of sunscreens on photoinduced cellular damage and their elimination in urine.

This trial is a monocentric, exploratory, randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group study conducted in healthy adult subjects.

The target population consists of subjects who are accustomed to using few products or using low protection index during sun exposure.

The study area is the whole body for sun exposure. The target areas are the face and forearms for the samplings and measurements.

In this design, in order not to impose any strong constraint to the subjects in terms of sun exposure, the duration of the exposure period is left free and can vary between 5 and 21 days. Within this window, subjects can freely determine their sun exposure episodes (choice of time slot, number and duration). However, subjects have to expose themselves for at least 3 hours /day, for 5 days in the week prior to visit 2 (which will be scheduled no more than 3 days after their last sun exposure).

The study includes 3 visits:

• Visit 1: Inclusion (D1)
• Visit 2: Intermediate visit (D7 to D39)
• Visit 3: Wound healing evaluation and end of study (V2 + 15 days +/- 2 days)

The period of outdoor sun exposure varies between 5 and 21 days depending on the duration planned by the subjects themselves. This is also the duration of application of the investigational product for the subjects in group 1.

Visit 1 can be performed up to 15 days before the beginning of the sun exposure period and visit 2 up to 3 days after the last sun exposure.

The duration of participation for a subject varies between 20 and 56 days (from inclusion to the end of the study).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female adults aged between 18 and 55 years included
• Subject with a habit of using little or no sunscreen products with low protection index (SPF < 25) during sun exposure.
• Subject's commitment to have a self-reported sun exposure of at least 3 hours per day for the 5 days of their last week of vacation
• Subjects agreeing not to expose themselves to UVs (natural or artificial) before the planned outdoor sun exposure period

Exclusion Criteria:

1. - Criteria related to the population:

   • Smoker of more than 10 cigarettes per day containing nicotine, paper and/or electronic cigarette equivalent
   • Subject having received on study areas artificial UV exposure or excessive, prolonged, and unprotected exposure to natural sunlight within the 4 weeks before the inclusion visit or planning one during the study
   • Subject having performed excessive and prolonged physical activity (e.g. trail, long distance running, race…) within 7 days before the inclusion visit

2. - Criteria related to the diseases / skin condition:

   • Subject with a known history of photosensitivity (toxic, allergic)
   • Subject with a known personal or family history of skin cancer
   • Subject having hereditary or acquired disorders of hemostasis.

3. - Criteria related to the treatments and/or products:

   • Physical treatment (radiotherapy, phototherapy, chemical peeling, laser, ...) on the study area within 4 weeks before the inclusion visit or planned during the study.
   • Systemic or topical treatment applied on the study area (e.g. anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory treatment) within two weeks before the inclusion visit, ongoing or planned during the study and likely to interfere with the study according to the investigator's assessment
   • Use of anti-aging products (containing retinoids and / or α-hydroxy acids) on the target areas (face and/or forearms) in the 2 weeks before the inclusion visit.
   • Systemic or topical treatment with photosensitizing or phototoxic potential (NSAIDs, antihistamines, psychotropic drugs, antidepressants, anti-migraine drugs, cyclines, quinolone, antibiotics, beta-blockers, etc.), taken or applied to the study area within the previous weeks, ongoing or planned during the study, and likely to interfere with the study according to the investigator's assessment
   • Subject taking creatine dietary supplements and/or practicing prolonged fasting