A new analysis suggests that skin color can significantly influence how effectively a medication works, revealing that melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color, can absorb certain drugs. This absorption affects the amount of the drug that reaches the tissues requiring treatment, potentially leading to varied responses to standard drug dosages based on skin tone.
Melanin's Impact on Drug Absorption
Research indicates that melanin's interaction with drugs was noted as early as the 1960s, yet its effects have not been adequately considered in preclinical research or clinical trials. For example, nicotine binds to melanin, and variations in skin pigmentation may influence smoking behavior, as melanin absorption could reduce the amount of nicotine reaching the brain. Similarly, toxic chemicals may accumulate in higher concentrations in darker skin, potentially altering safe exposure levels for different demographics.
Addressing the Diversity Gap in Drug Development
To tackle this issue, experts advocate for the use of more diverse cellular models in drug testing. Historically, initial drug tests have primarily used cell lines from individuals of European descent. However, advancements in cell biology now allow for the creation of complex cellular models with varying degrees of pigmentation. Sophie Zaaijer, a consultant and researcher affiliated with the University of California, Riverside, emphasizes the exciting potential of these innovations, including 3D cell models that mimic different shades of human skin.
These models can be used in preclinical experiments to assess how potential drugs interact with melanin before human trials. Additionally, "organ-on-a-chip" models, which mimic different cells and organs, can simultaneously study drug interactions with melanin in the skin and detoxifying enzymes in the liver. These devices could help predict drug responses in individuals with different skin tones during clinical trials.
Regulatory and Legislative Efforts
For these technologies to be widely adopted, regulatory bodies need to provide input and guidelines. Without such guidance, pharmaceutical companies may be less inclined to use them. Furthermore, there is a need to address the lack of diversity in clinical trials, which can be geographically inaccessible or financially prohibitive for some minority groups.
Recent legislative efforts aim to improve this situation. The Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act of 2022 mandates the development of plans to increase diversity in clinical trial participants. In 2024, the FDA published a draft guidance document to assist drug manufacturers in creating "Diversity Action Plans," which outline goals for enrolling individuals of different ages, ethnicities, races, and sexes into clinical trials.
Restoring Patient Trust
Experts emphasize the importance of transparency regarding the types of cell models used in preclinical research. They suggest that studies should report the ancestry of cell lines used, which the FDA could enforce. Patients should also feel empowered to ask questions during clinical trial recruitment, such as whether a drug has been tested in a variety of ancestral models.
Simon Groen, an assistant professor at UC Riverside, notes a distinct lack of trust in the African American community towards pharmaceutical companies. Providing more representative preclinical data could increase trust and encourage greater participation in clinical trials. Jakub Hlávka, a research assistant professor at the University of Southern California, highlights that a lack of representation in clinical trials compromises the generalizability of findings to the entire U.S. population, potentially hindering innovation.
Further analysis should include the study of representation of populations with different skin tones in clinical trials, particularly in areas where there may be implications for the clinical effectiveness of investigational drugs.
