New Experimental Skin Cream Shows Promising Results in Early Human Trial
A new skin cream has demonstrated the ability to change molecular markers linked to aging and inflammation, based on preliminary findings from an early human trial shared by its developer this week.
Rubedo Life Sciences, a biotech firm located in Mountain View, California, has been testing its experimental treatment, RLS-1496, on patients with eczema and various skin conditions.
In their analysis of 11 matched skin samples from individuals with atopic dermatitis, researchers observed that four weeks of treatment correlated with an average reduction of 2.1 years in the estimated epigenetic skin age, which is derived from age-related alterations in DNA.
Dr. Frederick Beddingfield, CEO of Rubedo, mentioned that these “significant” early results justify further exploration. “This is one of the few drugs designed to cater to aging in general and has shown favorable results in humans across multiple applications,” he remarked.
Beddingfield has hopeful expectations that these initial findings will lead to clinical improvements with extended treatment.
The presented data on skin aging was discussed at a scientific conference but hasn’t yet been published as a complete peer-reviewed study.
RLS-1496 is engineered to target senescent cells, which are aging or damaged cells that have ceased to divide but may release inflammatory substances. It specifically targets a protein known as GPX4, crucial for cells managing stress, and the researchers are examining whether hindering it aids in eliminating damaged, aging cells while allowing healthier ones to thrive.
Beddingfield elaborated, explaining that the approach aims to tackle cellular aging rather than just treating external symptoms. “It’s somewhat akin to the notion that ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ for those surviving cells,” he added.
Initial tissue analyses from the study indicated a 10% increase in structural collagen along with lower levels of inflammatory markers in the blood. However, the actual implications of these changes for the patients’ health remain unclear.
While the preliminary findings show potential, they have several caveats. The analysis involved a limited number of samples, and it gauged biological signs of aging instead of visibly assessing whether the skin appeared more youthful or functioned better. Since treatment lasted only four weeks, it’s uncertain if the changes will last. Plus, the research was funded by Rubedo, and these findings haven’t yet been subjected to full peer review.
Beddingfield noted that the upcoming trial will involve treatments over several months.
Furthermore, the cream is being tested for various other skin ailments. In another initial study with 22 patients experiencing actinic keratosis, a rough skin condition often caused by sun exposure, the company reported an average lesion reduction of 49% after 28 days of treatment.
This particular study had participants’ treated forearms compared to untreated ones rather than employing a placebo cream.
Although the FDA’s approval process is projected to take a span of three to four years, it’s anticipated that non-prescription cosmetic versions using similar mechanisms could reach the market within just a year.
According to Rubedo, the cream caused minimal irritation to the skin and was found in the blood of only a few participants. Beddingfield stated, “With topical application, we have observed very little risk. Local irritation is infrequent and generally mild when it happens. So far, no one has terminated their treatment, and very few subjects show any medication in their bloodstream after application.”
Rubedo is also initiating an early-stage trial for RLS-1496 targeting androgenetic alopecia, or pattern hair loss, with Beddingfield estimating that potential FDA approval could still be three to four years away, contingent on more extensive clinical studies.
