Peptide
Afamelanotide
Afamelanotide (Scenesse) is an FDA-approved (2019) prescription drug for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic photosensitivity disorder. It's a synthetic α-MSH analog that stimulates eumelanin production WITHOUT UV exposure. A-GRADE evidence for increasing pain-free sun exposure and reducing phototoxic reactions. B-GRADE for vitiligo repigmentation (with NB-UVB). This is a PRESCRIPTION IMPLANT, not a tanning supplement. Related to but distinct from illegal 'Melanotan II'.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 21 studies cited
Research notice. This page is for education and research. Peptides may not be FDA-approved for human use and may only be legally available for research. Talk to a qualified clinician before considering any peptide.
- Best evidence
- Grade A
- Conditions studied
- 3
- Outcomes
- 8
- Graded outcomes
- 4211
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eumelanin Production Consistent melanogenic activity in all subjects | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured eumelanin production | ||||||
Vitiligo
- Skin Repigmentation (Vitiligo): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Repigmentation (Vitiligo) 48.64% vs 33.26% repigmentation with NB-UVB combination | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 7 studies | |||
Studies that measured skin repigmentation (vitiligo)
| ||||||
General
- Safety/Tolerability: improves
- Liver Protection: improves
- Immune Function: improves
Key findings
- Pain-Free Sun Exposure TimeChanges; see studies
- Quality of Life (EPP)Improves (the measure goes up)
- Phototoxic ReactionsImproves (the measure goes down)
Studies cited
21 studies from PubMed
- German Cohort Observational Study to Investigate the Short- and Long-Term Safety and Clinical Effectiveness of Afamelanotide 16 mg (SCENESSE) in Patients With Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)
- Afamelanotide in managing cutaneous phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria: a Scottish perspective.
- Treatment Advances in Vitiligo: An Updated Review.
- Bridging Molecular Mechanism and Clinical Practice in Vitiligo Treatment: An Updated Review.
- A systematic review of case series and clinical trials investigating systemic oral or injectable therapies for the treatment of vitiligo.
- Afamelanotide in protoporphyria and other skin diseases: a review.
- A feasibility and safety study of afamelanotide in acute stroke patients - an open label, proof of concept, phase iia clinical trial.
- Afamelanotide Is Associated with Dose-Dependent Protective Effect from Liver Damage Related to Erythropoietic Protoporphyria.
- Afamelanotide for prevention of phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria.
- Immunopathogenesis and management of polymorphic light eruption.
- Beyond pigmentation: signs of liver protection during afamelanotide treatment in Swiss patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, an observational study.
- Current and innovative emerging therapies for porphyrias with hepatic involvement.
- Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a review.
- Afamelanotide: A Review in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
- Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
- Afamelanotide and narrowband UV-B phototherapy for the treatment of vitiligo: a randomized multicenter trial
- Afamelanotide (CUV1647) in dermal phototoxicity of erythropoietic protoporphyria.
- Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the synthetic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogue afamelanotide ([Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH, Scenesse®) in erythropoietic protoporphyria patients by ELISA detecting both anti-afamelanotide and anti-α-MSH antibodies.
- A bioassay for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog afamelanotide in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria
- A review and update on melanocyte stimulating hormone therapy: afamelanotide.
- Afamelanotide, an agonistic analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, in dermal phototoxicity of erythropoietic protoporphyria.