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Skin cancer affects us all Cancer of the skin belongs to the world's most common cancer forms. Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the outer layers of the skin. The deadliest of all skin cancers, melanoma affects more than 2.4 million worldwide with more than 150,000 new cases being diagnosed every year. The greatest numbers of these diagnoses are found in people between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. The incidence of melanoma is rising faster than any other type of cancer. Current melanoma treatment classes include surgery, radiation chemotherapy, such as antineoplastic agents, as well as immuno therapeutics, and more recently vaccines. However, even the most highly prescribed drugs for treatment of these tumors have low efficacy ratings and high toxicity levels. Skin cancer patients are at risk for recurrence. Since the failure rate of melanoma treatment is still unacceptably high, there exists a pressing need for novel treatments. Cyplasin-SC™ has become a prime candidate to fulfill this unmet need. The company’s lead product, Cyplasin-SC is a recombinant protein derived from the sea hare. It can selectively kill skin cancer and melanoma cancer cells while not affecting normal healthy cells. As the efficacy and safety profile of Cyplasin-SC is confirmed it will be used in conjunction with standard skin cancer treatments. The structure of the skin
The outer layer of the epidermis contains three kinds of cells -- squamous cells that are flat, scaly cells in the surface, basal cells that are round cells located under the squamous cells and melanocytes, which are cells that give the skin its color and are located throughout the basal layer. Melanoma skin cancer starts in the melanocyte cells of the skin. Melanocytes produce a pigment called melanin that gives the skin its color and protects it from sun damage. When skin is exposed to the sun, it produces more pigment. Melanocytes often cluster together and form moles (nevi). Most moles are benign but some may go on to become malignant melanomas. |
The skin has two main layers. The outer layer called the epidermis and the inner layer called the dermis. The dermis contains nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, sweat glands, oil glands and hair follicles.|
The company’s lead product, Cyplasin-SC™ is a recombinant protein derived from the sea hare, which can selectively kill skin cancer and melanoma cancer cells while not affecting normal healthy cells. As the efficacy and safety profile of Cyplasin-SC is confirmed it will be used in conjunction with standard skin cancer treatments. |