Researchers at Hyderabad-based BITS Pilani have developed a unique patch solution for curing patients suffering from a kind of skin disease called melanoma.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which forms from melanocytes (pigment-containing cells in the skin). In women, the most common site is the legs, and melanomas in men are most common on the back. It is particularly common among Caucasians, especially northern Europeans and northwestern Europeans, living in sunny climates. There are higher rates in Oceania, North America, Europe, Southern Africa, and Latin America.

To beat this skin cancer, the researchers at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus have developed a unique solution in the form of a wearable skin patch which is designed to cure the cancer cells on the skin.  The skin patch will contain skin cancer treating drug Imanitib (commercially known as Glivec) prepared in a gel form by coating it with several layers of gold nano-particles.

According to the Scientists, the formulation will relieve melanoma patients of the adverse side effects of consuming Imanitib, since the drug affects other body organs as well.

At present, Imanitib is available only in injection and tablet forms. Melanoma primarily is a cancer of the skin, appearing as dark patches on the skin, and use of the drug for its treatment adversely affects other organs as well.

Dr Venkata Vamsi Krishna Venuganti, assistant professor in the pharmacy department of BITS Pilani, Hyderabad, said, “We have developed a formulation that can be applied on the skin in the region where there is cancer cell growth. It is a skin patch. Our gel formulation has shown six times higher absorption efficiency.”

Scientists said this is the first time that it has been shown that Imanitib can be successfully used for external application with the skin absorbing the drug. The formulation was developed by researchers Suman Labala, Praveen Kumar Mandapalli, Abhinav Kurumaddali and Venkata Vamsi Krishna and their results have been published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceuticals.

The current treatment method includes surgical removal of the tumor. If melanoma is found early, while it is still small and thin, and if it is completely removed, then the chance of cure is high.

Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers. However, it is much more dangerous if it is not found in the early stages. It causes the majority (75 per cent) of deaths related to skin cancer. Globally, in 2012, melanoma occurred in 232,000 people and resulted in 55,000 deaths. Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of melanoma in the world.