Recent research has revealed that melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair and eyes, can affect how drugs work in the body. (freepik)
A new ANALYSIS shows a person’s skin color can influence how safe and effective a drug is for him or her. In the journal Human Genomics, scientists reviewed many studies and found that melanin can absorb certain drugs, whether applied to the skin or taken orally.
Melanin is a pigment that gives color to skin, hair and eyes. Results that show melanin can absorb the drug can affect how much of the drug dose reaches the tissue that needs treatment.
The body’s response to standard doses of the drug may vary depending on skin color. For example, research shows that nicotine binds to melanin, so variations in skin pigmentation can influence a person’s smoking habits. Inhaled nicotine will enter the bloodstream and be absorbed by skin cells that contain melanin, thereby reducing the amount of nicotine that reaches the brain. The exact reasons behind this phenomenon are not yet fully understood.
In addition, toxic chemicals such as those found in fertilizers and pesticides have been found to accumulate in higher concentrations in darker skin compared to lighter skin. This may change the standards for safe exposure levels for certain population groups.
Using More Diverse Cell Models
Drugs go through various stages of testing during their development. However, initial testing in the laboratory was often performed on cell lines derived from individuals of European ancestry. Recent technological advances have allowed scientists to create more complex cell models, including those representing different levels of skin pigmentation.
This 3D model can be used to test interactions between drugs and melanin before testing is carried out on humans.
Additionally, miniature devices such as organs-on-a-chip can be used to study how drugs interact with melanin in the skin and detoxification enzymes in the liver simultaneously. This technology can help predict how people with different skin colors respond to drugs during clinical trials.
Regulatory Guide
To ensure this technology is widely used, guidance from regulatory agencies is needed. In 2022, the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act was passed in the US to increase the diversity of clinical trial participants. In 2024, the FDA published “Diversity Action Plans” draft guidance for drug manufacturers, which includes strategies for recruiting clinical trial participants from diverse age groups, ethnicity, race, and gender.
Transparency in the types of cell models used for preclinical research is also important. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are encouraged to include the origins of the cell models used, for example whether they come from individuals of African or European descent.
Increasing representation in drug research can restore patient confidence, especially among minorities, who are often skeptical of big pharmaceutical companies. With more representative preclinical data, patients from diverse backgrounds will have more confidence that the drugs being tested are safe and effective for them.
Further research is needed to ensure representation of populations with varying skin colors in clinical trials, especially regarding the impact of pigmentation on drug availability in the body. Lack of representation can reduce the ability of clinical trial results to apply to the broader population, thereby hindering medical innovation.
Restoring Patient Trust
Patients should also feel they have the right to ask questions during the clinical trial recruitment process, Zaaijer said. If you are invited to participate in a clinical trial, ask the researchers, “Has this drug been tested in multiple ancestral models in preclinical studies?” In other words, has the company developing it considered your needs as an individual based on your race and ethnicity?
Taking skin color differences into account in preclinical research could encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to participate in clinical trials, Groen said.
This is important because research shows that members of racial and ethnic minority groups are less likely to enroll in clinical trials compared with their white counterparts. Other analyzes also showed that research staff tended to show bias in recruiting participants from minority groups.
“There is a real lack of trust — for example, in the African-American community — in ‘Big Pharma’ companies,” Groen said. If these companies can show more representative preclinical data before patients enroll in clinical trials, they are likely to be more confident the drug will not harm them, he added.
“Representation in clinical trials is an important issue for the clinical trials community, and fortunately, representation and diversity in clinical research have continued to improve over time,” said Jakub Hlávka, a research assistant professor in health policy and management at the University of Southern California who was not involved in this article.
“However, little is known about the associated representation of skin pigmentation, which may have an impact on drug bioavailability,” he told Live Science via email.
In a 2022 study, Hlávka and his colleagues concluded that underrepresentation in clinical trials reduces the ability of trial findings to be representative of the entire US population, which can stifle innovation and have other negative effects.
“Further analysis could include studies on the representation of populations with different skin colors in clinical trials, especially in areas that have implications for the clinical effectiveness of investigational drugs,” Hlávka said. (Live Science/Z-3)
Melanin and Medications: A Colorful Conundrum
Ah, melanin. That fabulous pigment that gives some of us that “I just got back from a summer holiday” glow, while others muster the sheer willpower to rock the “I’ve just witnessed a vampire convention” look. But now, it turns out this little pigment of ours isn’t just about beauty—it’s also got a hand in how effectively your meds work. Yes, that’s right! Recent research presented in the journal Human Genomics has unveiled that melanin isn’t just a passive player; it’s more like an enthusiastic bouncer at a trendy club, selectively letting some drugs pass through while bouncing others out!
The Science of Skin Color and Drug Efficacy
The research suggests that a person’s skin color can affect how safe and effective a drug is for them. Can you believe it? Certain drugs, when applied to or ingested by the body, are absorbed by melanin! Next time you pop a pill, maybe give a cheer for your melanocytes—they’re working hard behind the scenes. But let’s not get carried away! Melanin’s addiction to drugs like nicotine may sound like the start of one heck of a Tinder profile, but it also means nicotine binds with this pigment, altering how much really reaches the brain. Who knew that your complexion could make you a lightweight when it comes to smoking?
Now, hold onto your sunscreen because it gets murkier. The darker your skin, the more toxic chemicals from the environment, like the stuff found in fertilizers and pesticides, tend to accumulate. It’s like Mother Nature decided to give some unfair bonuses to darker skin tones, and not the fun kind! This means we might need to rethink those safety standards game—because what’s safe for one group may not be for another. Talk about a marked difference!
Diversity Worth Its Weight in Pigments
In the past, drug trials often resembled a fancy dinner party—lots of European ancestry around the table, and barely a hint of cultural diversity. But don’t worry! Thanks to modern technology, we’re creating more complex cell models that reflect a broader spectrum of skin pigmentation. Finally, we can visualize the drug interactions without needing to pass a mic to the ghost of clinical trials past!
We’re talking about 3D models and innovative organs-on-a-chip technologies. Imagine mini liver and skin constructs at work, maybe even gossiping about how to break apart that elusive drug cocktail! Scientists are honing in on how these drugs interact with melanin and the body’s detoxification enzymes. It’s like Fight Club, but for pharmaceuticals—don’t talk about it, unless you want science to knock you out!
Regulations Anyone?
Of course, for all these advancements to make a splash, they need a regulatory lifeguard to ensure no one drowns in a sea of confused safety standards. The US has made strides with the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act pushing for diversity in clinical trials, paving the way for a more equitable landscape. With the FDA stepping in with “Diversity Action Plans,” it’s clear we’re moving in the right direction. But let’s not throw a party just yet; we still need transparent reporting on the origins of those cell models.
If researchers can show they used cells from diverse backgrounds, like African or European descent, it adds a level of trust. Trust, my friends, is everything. We all know someone who won’t even trust their flatmate’s cooking! Increasing representation in research may just allow more skeptics to give those clinical trials a chance.
The Question You Should Ask
If you find yourself being asked to participate in a clinical trial, take a page from the inquisition! Don’t just sign on the dotted line; ask the researchers, “Has this drug been tested with a mix of ancestral cell models?” If they fumble, maybe it’s time to reconsider. Everyone deserves to feel that their health needs are taken seriously—like a precious plant pot in the living room, not a neglected fern out back.
Research shows that racial and ethnic minorities often ghost clinical trials at far higher rates than their white counterparts, which is concerning. There’s a significant trust gap—especially in communities that have been historically marginalized. If we can display real data that reflects diverse populations and builds that trust, we can create a culture of participation which would benefit everyone.
In Conclusion
So here’s the crux of the matter: our skin color, while it might seem like it’s just a trivial part of who we are, plays a surprisingly critical role in how well our medications function. It’s a vivid reminder that medicine is far from one-size-fits-all. Dishing out drugs without taking pigment into account is like trying to sell ice cream in the Arctic—err, a little misplaced, don’t you think?
In the end, the world of pharmaceuticals and clinical trials can be as colorful as our diverse populations. By embracing that spectrum, we open doors to innovative therapies that cater to all. So, let’s keep it bright, keep it diverse, and as always, keep questioning!
