Method for preventing or treating skin tumor

Abstract

Methods, compositions and products for preventing skin tumor formation or inhibiting the development of an existing skin tumor in a subject are described. The methods involve administering to the subject a composition containing an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, such as brimonidine.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for protecting the skin, the lips, or the scalp of a subject against the damaging effects of UV-radiation, comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a safe and effective amount of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist is selected from the group consisting of: brimonidine, (8-Bromo-quinoxalin-6-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (8-Bromo-quinoxalin-5-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (5-Bromo-3-methyl-quinoxalin-6-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (5-Bromo-2-methoxy-quinoxalin-6-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-(8-methyl-quinoxalin-6-yl)-amine, (4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-quinoxalin-5-yl-amine, naphazoline, tetrahydrozaline, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and methoxamine. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject through the route of topical, epicutaneous, transdermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular delivery. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject by subcutaneous delivery to the skin area in need such administration. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject by topical application onto the skin in need such administration. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is under a tanning treatment and the composition further comprises a safe amount of a tanning agent. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist is brimonidine. 
     
     
         10 . A cosmetic product comprising:
 (1) a topical composition comprising a safe and effective amount of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist; and   (2) instructions on applying the topical composition to the skin, the lips, or the scalp of a subject against the damaging effects of UV-radiation.   
     
     
         11 . The cosmetic product of  claim 10 , wherein the topical composition further comprises a safe and effective amount of a sun screening agent. 
     
     
         12 . The cosmetic product of  claim 10 , wherein the cosmetic product is for tanning the skin of a subject, and the topical composition further comprises a safe and effective amount of a tanning agent. 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetic product of  claim 12 , wherein the tanning agent is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, riboflavin, collagen hydrolysate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The cosmetic product of  claim 10 , wherein the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist is selected from the group consisting of: brimonidine, (8-Bromo-quinoxalin-6-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (8-Bromo-quinoxalin-5-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (5-Bromo-3-methyl-quinoxalin-6-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (5-Bromo-2-methoxy-quinoxalin-6-yl)-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-amine, (4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-(8-methyl-quinoxalin-6-yl)-amine, (4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-quinoxalin-5-yl-amine, naphazoline, tetrahydrozaline, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and methoxamine. 
     
     
         15 . The cosmetic product according to  claim 14 , wherein the topical composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetic product according to  claim 15 , wherein the topical composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic product according to  claim 14 , wherein the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist is brimonidine. 
     
     
         18 . The cosmetic product according to  claim 12 , wherein the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist is brimonidine.