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Papers of the Week
Afamelanotide for prevention of phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria.
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Abstract
In erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), an inherited disorder of heme biosynthesis, accumulation of protoporphyrin IX results in acute phototoxicity. EPP patients experience severe burning pain after light exposure, which results in a markedly reduced quality of life (QoL). Afamelanotide is the first effective approved medical treatment for EPP, acting on melanocortin-1 receptors. This article aims to review afamelanotide.