Caffeine as a Photoprotective Agent

Something to peruse over your morning cup of coffee

Epidemiologists have found that drinking caffeinated coffee or tea is associated with a reduced incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and findings in animal studies also suggest that caffeine is photoprotective. The mechanism by which caffeine prevents UV damage has been a mystery. To investigate this issue, researchers exposed cultures of normal human keratinocytes to UVB radiation.

UV exposure resulted in death by apoptosis of approximately 10% of cells. In cultures pretreated with caffeine, apoptosis of the irradiated keratinocytes increased two- to threefold. Caffeine is known to amplify levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), an important messenger in cellular signaling, but this did not appear to be the mechanism at work, beca…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)