{"id":7206,"date":"2024-10-11T16:14:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T16:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=7206"},"modified":"2024-10-16T21:41:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T21:41:45","slug":"how-skin-tone-influences-medication-effectiveness-and-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/how-skin-tone-influences-medication-effectiveness-and-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"How Skin Tone Influences Medication Effectiveness and Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">Scientists at UC Riverside have reported how skin pigmentation affects medication effectiveness, urging a shift in drug testing practices to ensure safer, more effective treatments for diverse populations.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have reported that skin pigmentation could significantly impact how medications perform, suggesting that the current drug development process might be shortchanging people with varying skin tones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a perspective article <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s40246-024-00677-7\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the journal Human Genomics, Simon Groen, an assistant professor of evolutionary systems biology, and Sophie Zaaijer, a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consultant and researcher, highlight the previously overlooked role of melanin \u2014 the pigment responsible for skin color \u2014 in binding with drug compounds. This interaction could influence the speed and efficacy with which medications reach their intended targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur review paper concludes that melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, shows a surprising affinity for certain drug compounds,\u201d Groen said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ucr.edu\/articles\/2024\/10\/10\/how-your-skin-tone-could-affect-your-meds\">news release<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This revelation raises critical questions about the effectiveness of standard medication dosages, given the significant variation in skin tones among individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for drug toxicity testing fail to account for these pigmentation differences, a concerning oversight as the FDA pushes for more diverse clinical trials through its Diversity Action Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This oversight is particularly concerning given the push for more diverse clinical trials, as outlined in the agency\u2019s Diversity Action Plan,\u201d Zaaijer said in the news release. \u201cBut current early-stage drug development practices still primarily focus on drug testing in white populations of Northern European descent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One striking example the researchers cited involves nicotine. Melanin\u2019s affinity for this compound could mean that nicotine patches used in smoking cessation may be less effective for individuals with darker skin tones. This calls into question whether current public health interventions adequately serve all demographic groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAre we inadvertently shortchanging smokers with darker skin tones if they turn to these patches in their attempts to quit?\u201d Groen added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To address these disparities, Groen and Zaaijer are advocating for the use of human 3D skin models with varying pigmentation levels. These models could help pharmaceutical companies more accurately assess drug binding properties across different skin types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSkin pigmentation should be considered as a factor in safety and dosing estimates,\u201d added Zaaijer. \u201cWe stand on the brink of a transformative era in the biomedical industry, where embracing inclusivity is not just an option anymore but a necessity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The broader implications of their work extend beyond skin pigmentation. Genetic variations among minority groups can result in significantly different drug responses across races and ethnicities, impacting up to 20% of all medications, the researchers noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYet, our molecular understanding of these differences remains very limited,\u201d Zaaijer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Groen and Zaaijer urge that a more inclusive drug development process is essential, not only to comply with new mandates like the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act enacted in 2022, but to build trust among diverse patient groups. They believe these changes require a collaborative effort among academics, industry researchers, clinicians and regulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt&#8217;s a monumental task, requiring clear lines of communication between academics, industry researchers, clinicians and regulators,\u201d Zaaijer said. \u201cThe future of medicine relies on our capacity to connect these currently isolated operational teams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers are also calling on patients and their advocates to ask critical questions about drug efficacy and safety related to their specific ancestral backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In summary, the findings emphasize the necessity for the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory bodies to embrace inclusive testing practices. As we advance toward these goals, the hope is for a future where treatments are tailored to meet the diverse needs of all patients, ensuring no one is left behind in the realm of medical advancements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have reported that skin pigmentation could significantly impact how medications perform, suggesting that the current drug development process might be shortchanging people with varying skin tones. In a perspective article published in the journal Human Genomics, Simon Groen, an assistant professor of evolutionary systems biology, and Sophie Zaaijer, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have reported that skin pigmentation could significantly impact how medications perform, suggesting that the current drug development process might be shortchanging people with varying skin tones. In a perspective article published in the journal Human Genomics, Simon Groen, an assistant professor of evolutionary systems biology, and Sophie Zaaijer,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7206"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7326,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7206\/revisions\/7326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}