A review and update on melanocyte stimulating hormone therapy: afamelanotide.

[erythropoietic protoporphyria]

Afamelanotide ([Nle 4 -D-Phe 7 ]-alpha-MSH ) is an analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone given as a subcutaneous injection . Afamelanotide is currently undergoing phase II and III trials in Europe and the US for skin diseases including vitiligo , erythropoietic protoporphyria , polymorphic light eruption and prevention of actinic keratoses in organ transplant recipients . Unregulated analogs and chemicals are being sold online ahead of formal approval . A number of counterfeit chemicals , 'Melanotans ' are being sold for tanning purposes . Currently , afamelanotide is already on the market in Italy and Switzerland for patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria . This paper will review the current literature on this promising compound .