How caffeine prevents skin cancer

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Aug 15. Protection from UV-induced skin carcinogenesis by genetic inhibition of the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase. (University of Washington, Seattle, WA)

• We already know...
• Epidemiologically, caffeine intake lowers skin cancer risk.
• Oral/topical caffeine prevents skin cancer in hairless mouse.

• Here in this article,
• Transgenic mouse with diminished ATR (Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related) activity was made to mimic caffeine effect in genetic level.
• Those mice showed lower incidence of UV-induced skin cancer.
• Inhibition of ATR is suggested to be the mechanism of skin cancer prevention by caffeine.