title: A preliminary study of the local treatment of preneoplastic and malignant skin lesions using methyl jasmonate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Jasmonates are plant stress hormones. These small hydrophobic compounds exhibit anti-cancer activities, in vitro and in vivo, against cancer cells of various histological origins. Moreover, they show a selective activity against transformed cells and affect drug-resistant cells as well.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of a powerful jasmonate derivative, that is methyl jasmonate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methyl jasmonate was applied topically on cancerous and pre-cancerous skin lesions from eight patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methyl jasmonate did not cause any meaningful local or systemic side effects. Three patients exhibited positive responses. Two patients had complete recovery and one had a recurrence of the lesion three months post treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methyl jasmonate is a potentially promising novel topical treatment for prcancerous and cancerous skin lesions. Methyl jasmonate should be evaluated in a larger series of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialties, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, Surgical Clinic, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iannitti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capone
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Flescher
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D057176:Compassionate Use Trials; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007911:Lentigo / Q000188:drug therapy; D007971:Leukoplakia / Q000188:drug therapy; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; C072239:methyl jasmonate