Synthetic aromatic compounds interfering with melanogenesis are responsible of the rising trend of malignant melanoma incidence.

Abstract The hypotheses is forwarded that the introduction in the environment of high concentrations of phenols and other aromatic compounds (AC) is one, perhaps the main cause of the continuously rising trend of malignant melanoma (MM) incidence. Two, non-mutually exclusive, possibilities could explain how AC may induce MM: (1) AC may act as inhibitors or alternative substrates of tyrosinase, the enzyme synthesizing melanin, thus impairing the melanocyte photoprotection. (2) AC may impair, directly or indirectly, the activity or synthesis of the melanocorticotropin receptor (MC1R), which photoprotects melanocytes from the UV rays (UVR) by stimulating the DNA repair system. Particularly suspected are sunscreens, as they contain high concentrations of a large variety of AC, three of which are known to be tyrosinase inhibitors. AC that may interfere with tyrosinase are also present in a large variety of medicines used orally or as creams, and in many industrial products with which man is frequently in contact.