EP3433615A1 — Methods for diagnosis and treatment of solar lentigo

USPTO Abstract

The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of solar lentigo (SL). The inventors established an in vitro model of primary fibroblasts isolated from SL (FL) and perilesional (FS) biopsies, which were collected from a cohort of 10 volunteers. Then, the inventors defined morphological and functional characteristics of both dermal cells. The inventors demonstrated by immunofluorescence studies differential morphological features with FL displaying elongated shape, a thin epidermis, disorganized basement membrane, intense melanin deposition and elongated rete ridges collapsing into the dermis and FS presented flattened morphology. Moreover, both fibroblasts demonstrated distinct functional characteristics with FL exhibiting a lower proliferation rate and migration capacity, senescent-like phenotype as well as a higher ability to secrete KGF, HGF, SCF, IL-13 and TGFβ1. Thus, the present invention relates to a method of identifying a subject having or at risk of having or developing solar lentigo, comprising measuring the expression level of IL-13, TGFβ1, HGF, KGF and SCF. The present invention also relates to an IL-13 inhibitor compound for use in the treatment of solar lentigo.