NCI Drug Dictionary
The NCI Drug Dictionary contains technical definitions and synonyms for drugs/agents used to treat patients with cancer or conditions related to cancer. Each drug entry includes links to check for clinical trials listed in NCI's List of Cancer Clinical Trials.
- afamelanotide
-
A synthetic peptide analogue of the naturally occurring alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) with potential photoprotective activity. Mimicking the action of a-MSH, afamelanotide stimulates melanocytes to increase the production and release of melanin. Increased melanocyte melanin may protect against ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-initiated cellular DNA damage, oxidation of membrane proteins, and alterations in intracellular signaling processes in epidermal cells. Endogenously, a-MSH is released by skin cells in response to UVR exposure, stimulating melanocytes to produce and release melanin. Check for active clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Code name: CUV1647 Chemical structure: N-acetyl-L-serinyl-L-tyrosyl-L-seryl-(2S)-2-aminohexanoyl-L-glutamyl-L-histidyl-D-phenylalanyl-L-arginyl-L-tryptophanylglycyl-L-lysyl-L-prolyl-L-valinamide