A novel proof-of-concept study assessing the lightening effects and safety of malassezin for treatment of facial hyperpigmentation

This is the supplementary data for the Research Letter (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2021.10.008

This data is provided by the authors to give readers additional information about their work.

Purpose
The primary objective of this seminal and first proof-of-concept, double-blind, dose-ranging study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of malassezin, a natural indole metabolite of Malassezia furfur, for mild, moderate, and severe facial hyperpigmentation secondary to photodamage or melasma.

Conclusion
Malassezin is a highly active agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor with key homeostasis functions that may impact the mechanism of pigmentation reduction​ as shown by in vitro testing demonstrating that malassezin is not a tyrosinase inhibitor. The major strength of this investigation is the early onset of lightening visible at weeks 2 and 4 and the maintenance of improvement for 8 weeks after treatment, an outcome that has been rarely reported in other clinical trials.

本数据集为发表于《美国皮肤病学会杂志》（Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology）的研究通讯的补充数据，DOI：https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2021.10.008

本数据集由作者提供，旨在为读者提供其研究工作的额外补充信息。

研究目的
本研究为一项开创性的首个概念验证性双盲剂量递增试验，其主要目的为探究马拉色菌素（malassezin）——一种由糠秕马拉色菌（Malassezia furfur）产生的天然吲哚类代谢产物——在治疗继发于光损伤或黄褐斑的轻、中、重度面部色素沉着过度时的疗效与安全性。

研究结论
马拉色菌素是一种高活性芳基烃受体（aryl hydrocarbon receptor）激动剂，具备关键的稳态调节功能，或可影响色素减退的作用机制；体外（in vitro）试验结果显示，马拉色菌素并非酪氨酸酶抑制剂。本研究的主要优势在于，在治疗第2周和第4周即可观察到肤色提亮的早期起效效果，且治疗后改善效果可维持8周，此类表现在其他临床试验中鲜有报道。