Topical valrubicin application reduces skin inflammation in murine models

Background Valrubicin is a cytostatic anthracycline analogue, lacking toxicity by skin and tissue contact, and represents a new drug with potential for topical treatment of psoriasis and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC); the beneficial effects have been partly explained by its antiproliferative and proapoptotic characteristics. Objectives To assess the effect of valrubicin on skin inflammation as inflammation also plays a key role in psoriasis and NMSC. Methods The effect of topical valrubicin treatment on skin inflammation in vivo was addressed in skin inflammation mouse models, where 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate was used to induce irritant contact dermatitis. An acute and a chronic model were included, to investigate the effect of valrubicin in short-term inflammation and in more persistent inflammation. Inflammation-associated ear oedema was evaluated by measuring ear thickness, infiltration of neutrophil cells, and expression of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6. Results Topical valrubicin treatment effectively reduced the inflammatory response in the acute and the chronic models. Conclusions The present data document an anti-inflammatory effect of valrubicin, and may suggest an interesting new role for valrubicin in other debilitating skin diseases in which inflammation is a significant factor.