This study aims to comprehensively analyze temporal trends in the burden of malignant melanoma (MM) in East Asia, focusing on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1991 to 2021. It further seeks to compare these trends with the global burden of disease.

The study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database to examine the disease burden of MM across East Asian countries and regions, as well as globally, over a 30-year period (1991-2021).

We assessed changes in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs associated with MM in East Asia and globally using GBD database open-source data. To capture the underlying trends in the disease burden, we applied the Joinpoint regression model to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A detailed comparative analysis was conducted to explore differences in the burden of MM across East Asian regions and compared with global trends, with particular emphasis on age, sex, and temporal changes.

The greatest increase in MM incidence in East Asia was observed in Korea, where the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) rose from 0.603 cases per 100,000 population (95% CI: 0.389-0.789) in 1991 to 1.896 cases per 100,000 (95% CI: 0.78-2.499) in 2021. Regarding prevalence, China exhibited the most significant increase in East Asia, with the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) increasing from 0.699 (95% CI: 0.451-0.864) per 100,000 in 1991 to 4.157 (95% CI: 2.195-5.633) per 100,000 in 2021. The highest increases in MM mortality and DALYs were noted in Taiwan Province of China, where the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) increased from 0.36 (95% CI: 0.339-0.382) per 100,000 in 1991 to 0.414 (95% CI: 0.414) per 100,000 in 2021. Similarly, the age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) in Taiwan rose from 10.375 (95% CI: 9.781-11.049) per 100,000 in 1991 to 11.647 (95% CI: 10.558-12.478) per 100,000 in 2021. Age and gender exhibited distinct patterns of influence on the MM burden: while ASIR generally increased with age, ASPR initially increased and later plateaued. Both ASMR and ASDR demonstrated a positive correlation with age. Additionally, male populations consistently exhibited higher morbidity and mortality rates than females.

Over the period from 1991 to 2021, there were significant variations in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates of MM across East Asian countries and regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Taiwan. These disparities underscore the need for region-specific, proactive prevention strategies and targeted public health interventions to mitigate the growing burden of malignant melanoma in the region.

Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease, with approximately 200,000 new cases reported worldwide every year. Although there are numerous studies on the epidemiology of leprosy, the age, period, and cohort effects remain poorly understood.

We present an overview of trends in leprosy incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years worldwide from 1990 to 2019 and associations with age, period, and birth cohort. Data for analysis were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

We described incident case, prevalent case, age-standardised incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years rates of leprosy from 1990 to 2019. Subsequently, we calculated overall annual percentage changes, annual percentage changes, and the relative risks of period and cohort using an age-period-cohort model.

From 1990 to 2019, the global age-standardized incidence rate of leprosy decreased from 1.48 per 100,000 to 0.65 per 100,000. Additionally, countries with low Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) demonstrated higher age-standardised incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years rate. The age-standardised incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years rate were significantly higher in males compared to females. Furthermore, the impact of age on leprosy increased with age, peaking at 25-35 years, with the highest prevalence rates observed in the 35-40 age group. Notably, the peak age of leprosy onset increases with SDI. Both the period and cohort effects on leprosy incidence and prevalence showed decreasing trend in middle SDI, low-middle SDI and low SDI countries in recent 30 years and birth cohort later than 1905. However, unfavorable period and cohort effects were noted in high SDI regions.

Leprosy incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life years have significantly decreased globally, but remain high in areas with lower SDI. Developing regions should increase public awareness of leprosy risk factors, develop effective control policies to better manage and prevent the disease.

Rising rates of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) make standard histopathology diagnostic methods a bottleneck. Using tissue molecular information for diagnostics offers a promising alternative. Faster specimen collection and high-throughput molecular identification can improve the processing of the increasing number of tumors. This study aims (i) to confirm the ability of e-biopsy technique to harvest metabolites, (ii) to obtain high-resolution metabolomic profiles of cSCC, BCC, and healthy skin tissues, and (iii) to perform a comparative analysis of the collected profiles.

Tumor specimens were collected with electroporation-based biopsy (e-biopsy), a minimally invasive sampling collection tool, from 13 tissue samples (cSCC, BCC, and healthy skin) from 12 patients. Ultra performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) was used for molecular identification and quantification of resulting metabolomic profiles.

Here we report measurements of 2325 small metabolites identified (301 with high confidence) in 13 tissue samples from 12 patients. Comparative analysis identified 34 significantly (p < 0.05) differentially expressed high-confidence metabolites. Generally, we observed a greater number of metabolites with higher expression, in cSCC and in BCC compared to healthy tissues, belonging to the subclass amino acids, peptides, and analogues.

These findings confirm the ability of e-biopsy technique to obtain high-resolution metabolomic profiles suitable to downstream bioinformatics analysis. This highlights the potential of e-biopsy coupled with UPLC-MS-MS for rapid, high-throughput metabolomic profiling in skin cancers and supports its utility as a promising diagnostic alternative to standard histopathology.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-025-00846-1.

The authors sought to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence, tumor thickness, and time between diagnosis and first treatment of cutaneous melanoma patients.

A retrospective observational study was conducted based on the analysis of electronic medical records of patients treated at a reference service in Cutaneous Oncology within the scope of the Unified Health System in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The population was evaluated according to the date of diagnosis and was classified into three periods: 1) pre-pandemic period (January 2019 to March 2020), 2) pandemic period 1 (April 2020 to June 2021), and 3) pandemic period 2 (July 2021 to September 2022). Sociodemographic characteristics of the study population, tumor characteristics, and the time interval between diagnosis and first treatment were evaluated.

Seventy-six patients were evaluated, 25 (32.89%) diagnosed in the pre-pandemic period, 22 (28.94%) in pandemic period 1, and 29 (38.15%) in pandemic period 2. No significant differences were observed between the sociodemographic characteristics of the population, tumor thickness, and the presence of ulceration in the three periods analyzed. There was also no delay between diagnosis and the first treatment during the pandemic.

The size of the population, and the use of retrospective data extracted from medical records, without a systematized record of information.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not impact the incidence, thickness of melanomas, or the time between diagnosis and first treatment. This study demonstrated the importance of adapting the routine of health services and adapting the flow of oncology care in times of health crisis.

Ultrasound imaging has become an indispensable diagnostic tool across various medical fields. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of ultrasonography for the evaluation of skin lesions. However, scientific reports detailing the precise role of ultrasound in determining the morphology of malignant skin tumors still remain limited. Malignant skin lesions, particularly in the head and neck region-their most common location-pose significant challenges due to the complex anatomy of these areas. The primary treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is surgical excision. Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard due to its tissue-sparing approach and high cure rates. However, it is a time-consuming and resource-intensive procedure that is not always widely accessible. In contrast, standard surgical excision, while more widely available, often results in incomplete tumor removal, necessitating subsequent surgical radicalization or the use of adjuvant therapies. Routine ultrasound evaluation of both benign and malignant skin lesions could enhance early detection and facilitate timely treatment. However, the current body of evidence for the usage of skin ultrasound in presurgical evaluation is poor and lacks standardization. Given these challenges, in this review, we aim to highlight the potential value of preoperative skin ultrasonography in accurately assessing benign and malignant skin lesion dimensions and morphology.

The mortality rates of skin cancer in Chinese population are increasing. However, research on skin cancer trends in China is limited. This study aimed to estimate the mortality trends of skin cancer in China within 2013-2021.

A retrospective analysis of skin cancer deaths within 2013-2021 was performed using the China death cause surveillance dataset compiled by the National Health Commission Statistics Information Center and the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Center. The mortality rates of skin cancer were stratified by gender, age group, and area (urban or rural).

From 2013 to 2021 in China, the crude mortality rate (CMR) of skin cancer increased, and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized years of life lost (YLL) rate decreased. The ASMR and age-standardized YLL rate were 0.85/100,000 and 18.95/100,000 in 2013, respectively, and decreased to 0.75/100,000 and 16.84/100,000, respectively, in 2021. From 2013 to 2021, the CMR, ASMR, and age-standardized YLL rate of skin cancer were higher in males than in females and higher in rural areas rather than in urban ones. In terms of the highest age-specific mortality rate, it appeared in the age group of over 85 years old.

The burden of skin cancer remained heavily from 2013 to 2021 in China. Especially males, older adult, and rural residents had higher mortality. Thus, effective measures and strategies should be taken to reduce the incidence and mortality of skin cancer.

A serious worldwide health concern is cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). For the purpose of creating focused strategies, it is essential to comprehend geographical variations in cSCC prevalence and trends.

This study utilized data from the 2021 Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) survey to analyze cSCC across 204 countries and territories. We assessed the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), mortality rate (ASMR), disability-adjusted life years (ASDR), and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs), with trends stratified by region, country, age, sex, and Sociodemographic Index (SDI). To evaluate disparities in cSCC burden, we combined the SDI with the inequality slope and concentration indices for an international health inequality analysis. Decomposition analysis assessed the effects of population growth, aging, and epidemiological trends on disease burden, while frontier analysis linked cSCC outcomes with socio-demographic development. A Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) model projected future prevalence, mortality, and DALYs, identifying key drivers of cSCC burden.

In 2021, there were 2,275,834 cases of cSCC globally, reflecting a 345% increase since 1990. During this period, the ASPR rose from 14.69 to 26.85 per 100,000, while the ASMR increased slightly from 0.67 to 0.69 per 100,000. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rose from 544,973 to 1,210,874. Among socio-demographic regions, the high SDI region had the highest ASPR, while the middle SDI region exhibited the highest ASMR and ASDR. Decomposition analysis identified population growth and demographic aging as key drivers of the rising ASMR. Countries like Georgia showed significant disparities in frontier analysis, indicating potential for better cSCC management. Health inequality analysis confirmed that the burden was concentrated in nations with higher SDI. By 2045, the global ASPR is projected to reach 64.66, with the ASMR and ASDR expected to decrease to 1.02 and 20.63 per 100,000, respectively.

Over the last three decades, the global burden of cSCC has increased significantly. While mortality rates and DALYs are expected to decline over the next twenty years, the prevalence of cSCC is projected to remain high. This highlights the urgent need to reevaluate preventive efforts aimed at reducing morbidity, particularly in areas with substantial populations over the age of 95.

CV8102, a toll-like receptor 7/8 and RIG I agonist, has demonstrated antitumor immune responses in preclinical studies. We investigated intratumoral (IT) administration of CV8102 in patients with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy-naïve or anti-PD-1 therapy-refractory cutaneous melanoma (cMEL) and in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.

This open-label, cohort-based, phase I dose escalation study aimed to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose (RD), safety and preliminary efficacy of CV8102 as monotherapy or in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor. The preliminary efficacy of the RD was assessed in patients with cMEL in the expansion cohorts.

Between September 2017 and October 2022, 98 patients were enrolled in monotherapy and combination therapy dose escalation and dose expansion cohorts. Two patients in the CV8102 monotherapy dose escalation cohort experienced relevant toxicities at the 900 µg dose level. One patient had Grade 3 aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase elevation which met dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) criteria. Another patient experienced Grade 3 immune-mediated pneumonitis. No DLTs occurred in the combination therapy dose escalation cohort. The MTD was not formally reached and the RD for expansion was 600 µg. Common treatment-emergent adverse events were fever (57%), chills (37%) and fatigue (25%). In the dose escalation part, objective responses occurred in 3/33 patients treated with CV8102 as monotherapy and in 2/25 patients treated with CV8102 plus a PD-1 inhibitor. In the expansion cohorts in patients with anti-PD-1 therapy-refractory melanoma, 0/10 patients treated with CV8102 as monotherapy and 5/30 patients (17%) treated in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor experienced objective responses.

IT CV8102 was generally well tolerated with preliminary signs of efficacy as monotherapy and in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor.

NCT03291002.

Primary tumor thickness is important for prognosis of melanoma patients. To enhance prevention and quantify the true burden of melanoma, better understanding of thickness patterns and associated characteristics is crucial. Previous studies have been limited to report trends and address risk factors of thickness in specific melanoma subtypes in the Greek population. We investigated associations between epidemiological characteristics and thickness for the two most common melanoma subtypes and the trends in thickness over a twelve-year period.

A retrospective study of 1201 patients with histologically confirmed primary nodular and superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) diagnosed from 2010 to 2021 in "Andreas Sygros" Hospital of Cutaneous and Venereal diseases was conducted. Multiple regression was performed to examine the association of variables of interest with melanoma thickness.

SSM thickness significantly increased by 2% per year (percent of change: 2.0, 95% CI: 0.2, 3.7) from 2010 to 2021, while a similar tendency for nodular melanoma (NM) thickness was indicated. Age at diagnosis was demonstrated to be a predictor of thickness for both subtypes. When considering all confounders, overall sun exposure was inversely associated with SSM thickness (PC: -6.2, 95% CI: -12.4, 0.5) and a similar association was indicated for NM (PC: -9.3, 95%CI: -21.1, 4.2).

These results indicate an upward trend of SSM thickness and the associations of age at diagnosis and overall exposure to UV with thickness of both subtypes. Future research is needed to identify additional characteristics and explain differences among all melanoma types.

There is limited data on the risk of second primary malignancies (SPMs) in Asian melanoma survivors. This study aimed to identify the risk of SPMs in Asian melanoma survivors. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for overall and specific SPMs. The risk factor for overall SPM development was analyzed using a multivariable Cox regression model. A total of 10,070 patients with melanoma were included in the study. Melanoma survivors exhibited an increased risk of overall SPM (SIR, 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-1.70). Additionally, specific SPMs were more common among melanoma survivors, including nonmelanoma skin cancer, oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer, renal cancer, female breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer. Independent risk factors for overall SPM development included a Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 1 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.41; 95% CI, 1.07-1.87), and a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 (aHR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04-2.08). Inherent uncertainty related to diagnostic codes may exist. The risk of overall and specific SPMs was significantly elevated in Asian melanoma survivors, particularly among those with invasive melanoma. Among modifiable factors, a high body mass index (BMI) was associated with an increased risk of SPM.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a major global health issue characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, with a notably low five-year survival rate. Comprehensive analyses of the global burden of EC remain limited and outdated, despite its global significance. This study aimed to systematically assess the global burden and trends of esophageal cancer across diverse populations.

Data on the burden of EC were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, including estimates of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as well as risk factors, spanning 204 countries and territories. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated to allow comparisons across populations. The study further explored the relationship between EC burden and socioeconomic development by utilizing the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), aggregating data by regions. The Bayesian age-period-cohort model was applied to project future trends until 2050.

In 2021, there were 576,529 new esophageal cancer cases, with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 6.65 per 100,000, reflecting a 24.87% decrease since 1990. The global number of deaths reached 538,602, with an age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of 6.25 per 100,000, representing a 30.67% decline. DALYs totaled 12,999,264, corresponding to an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of a 1.73% decrease in the age-standardized DALYs rate. East Asia accounted for nearly two-thirds of global EC cases and deaths, while Central Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest ASIR and ASDR. Central Asia experienced the largest reductions, whereas Western Sub-Saharan Africa showed increasing trends. Middle-SDI countries, such as Malawi and Lesotho, had disproportionately high burdens, while high-SDI countries, including Tunisia and Kuwait, had lower burdens. Males had higher incidence and mortality rates across all age groups. By 2050, the ASIR is projected to decrease to 6.17 per 100,000, and the ASDR to 5.23 per 100,000, though the absolute number of cases and deaths is expected to rise.

The global burden of EC remains significant, with ongoing challenges in regions such as Africa and East Asia. These findings highlight the need for sustained and targeted prevention efforts, particularly in high-risk populations, to address the increasing absolute number of cases and deaths.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the leading cause of skin cancer mortality with associated high healthcare costs. Up-to-date reporting of epidemiological trends for CM is required to project future trends, assess the burden of disease and aid evaluation of new diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative strategies.

To describe the trends in CM mortality, incidence, mortality-to-incidence indices (MIIs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) over the last three decades.

A population-based cross-sectional study of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database between 1990 and 2019 was performed. Nineteen high-income countries with similar health expenditure and classified as having high-quality mortality data including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and selected European Union countries were included. Annual age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), age-standardized death rates (ASDRs) and DALYs for each country were extracted. Mortality-to-incidence indexes were calculated by dividing the ASDR by the ASIR. Trends were described using Joinpoint regression analysis.

Almost all countries demonstrated increasing ASDR in males over the observation period with greatest percentage increase in Greece (+87%), and there was greater heterogeneity between countries in females. CM mortality was greater for males than females in all countries. Most recent Joinpoint analysis shows significantly decreasing mortality in all countries except the United Kingdom (+0.5% males between 2007 and 2019, +0.1% females between 2002 and 2019). Incidence rates increased in all countries, with evidence of plateau from 2015 onwards. While MIIs cannot be used as a proxy for survival, statistically significant decreases in MII were observed in all countries. Overall, DALYs remained static.

Over the past 30 years, CM mortality and incidence has increased in most EU15+ countries. There is evidence that in recent years, CM mortality is decreasing. The burden of disease as assessed using DALYs has remained mostly unchanged. Future work should not solely focus on expensive innovative therapies, but also on optimizing primary prevention.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer, originating from the malignant proliferation of squamous epithelial cells. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. To further explore the mechanisms underlying cSCC, we analyzed the data from one single-cell RNA sequencing study and discovered a significant upregulation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) in the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Nonetheless, the specific expression and potential biological significance of TDO2 in cSCC have not yet been reported. In this study, we confirmed that TDO2 is highly expressed in CAFs of cSCC. Clinical correlation analysis indicated that high TDO2 expression was significantly associated with poor tumor differentiation. Furthermore, increased TDO2 expression in cSCC correlated with reduced CD8 + T cell infiltration, suggesting its role in modulating immune responses. TDO2 inhibitors significantly reduced the size and number of tumors in mice and effectively increased CD8 + T cell infiltration. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that TDO2 inhibitors modulate immune cell activity and downregulate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In summary, our study demonstrates that TDO2 + CAFs induce immune evasion by inhibiting CD8 + T cell infiltration in cSCC. Inhibiting TDO2 could enhance antitumor immune responses, providing a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes in cSCC.

Melanoma, a significant global health concern, has shown evolving epidemiologic trends. Accurate estimation of melanoma's burden is essential for public health strategies and interventions.

This study aims to estimate the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years for melanoma, stratified by region, gender, and age group, from 1990 to 2021.

Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021, we analyzed melanoma incidence, mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life years in 204 countries from 1990 to 2021. These metrics were age-standardized and stratified by age, sex, Socio-Demographic Index, region, and country. The estimated annual percentage change was calculated to track temporal trends.

Our study shows a substantial global increase in melanoma incidence, with significant disparities between genders and age groups. Higher Socio-Demographic Index regions had increased incidence rates, while global mortality declined, likely due to improved detection and treatment.

The reliance on estimates and models may introduce bias due to variability in disease definitions, diagnostic criteria, and data collection methods.

This study underscores the dynamic nature of melanoma's burden and the need for targeted, age-specific, and gender-specific interventions. Continued research is essential to address the growing challenges posed by melanoma.

Several studies have indicated a potential link between calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) and skin cancers. However, comprehensive evidence of CNI-induced skin cancers remains lacking.

We conducted an observational retrospective pharmacovigilance study utilizing the FAERS database to identify potential risk signals associated with skin cancers with CNIs treatment, encompassing data from its inception to the third quarter of 2023. The assessment was carried out using the Information Component (IC) and Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR).

We identified 1339 cases of skin cancers linked to CNIs use. The frequency of skin cancers associated with both CsA and Tac was significantly higher compared to all other drugs in the database, especially for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). There was no significant difference in the risk of CsA-related melanoma skin cancer (MSC) and NMSC compared to Tac. Additionally, the development of MSC appeared to have a higher risk of fatal outcomes in individuals of Caucasian descent and patients aged 40-79 years.

Our study has provided new real-world evidence regarding the safety of CNIs concerning skin cancers. It is recommended that clinicians remain vigilant about CNI-associated skin cancers and implement early surveillance to prevent adverse outcomes.

Due to a multitude of factors, skin cancer incidence is increasing and challenges medical professionals in biopsy decision-making. While skin cancer may have a profound impact on the patient and be costly for society, there is little knowledge about the number and cost of benign skin lesions biopsied as collateral damage.

This study evaluates the number and costs of skin biopsies in Denmark over 15 years, focusing on benign and malignant skin lesions and melanomas across medical settings. It aims to determine the benign to malignant ratio (BMR) and number needed to biopsy (NNB) and estimate the direct cost of benign skin lesion biopsies in the Cancer Pathway from the perspective of a public healthcare system.

The study included 4,481,207 biopsy specimens from January 2007 to June 2022 from the Danish Pathology Data Bank, of which 151,988 from the Cancer Pathway were included in the primary analysis of BMR. The national reimbursement rates for biopsies were used, alongside histopathological examination costs extracted from several pathology departments, for a Monte-Carlo simulation of a simple cost and sensitivity analysis.

The number of biopsies increased by 39.1% from 2007 to 2021. Overall BMR for malignancy was 4.1:1, and NNB for melanoma was 31.8, but biopsies performed on clinical suspicion of malignancy or melanoma had a BMR and NNB of 1.5:1 and 2.8, respectively. The cost of benign skin biopsies performed on suspicion of cancer or melanoma in 2021 was €6.6M, predominantly in hospitals.

A healthcare system that employs filtering functions before biopsy of skin lesions can achieve some of the lowest BMR reported in the world, but with most benign skin lesion excisions due to suspicion of malignancy performed in the expensive hospital setting. Including clinical reason for biopsy in diagnostic accuracy studies using NNB is crucial.

Identifying modifiable risk factors is essential for the prevention of skin cancer; however, establishing causality can be challenging in conventional epidemiological studies. This study aimed to determine the causal associations of potentially modifiable risk factors with skin cancer using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Genetic instruments for 53 risk factors, including socioeconomic status, dietary and lifestyle factors, anthropometric measures, medication use, and comorbidities, were identified from previous genome-wide association studies. Two-sample MR analyses were performed using summary statistics for three major types of skin cancer: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Findings were verified using multiple MR methods under different assumptions and replication datasets.

Genetic liability to sunburn occasions, actinic keratosis, and prior skin cancers was associated with a higher risk of all three types of skin cancer, whereas genetic liability to vitiligo was associated with a lower risk. For specific skin cancer types, genetically predicted higher nevus counts and occupational class were associated with an increased risk of melanoma. Genetic liability to rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and increased physical activity were associated with a lower risk of BCC. Genetically predicated body mass index showed a negative association with BCC, and a positive association with SCC.

Our study reaffirmed several previously established risk factors and identified novel potential risk factors for skin cancer. Further work is needed to unravel the biological pathways in different skin cancer types and translate our findings to inform public health policies.

The incidence of melanoma continues to rise in Ireland. Skin cancer prevention campaigns rely on promoting knowledge to improve sun-related behaviour.

To explore beliefs, behaviours, and attitudes towards tanning, and confidence in identifying signs of melanoma in the Irish population.

A cross-sectional study was performed via an online questionnaire, with questions related to tanning, sun exposure, and skin cancer behaviours. Respondents were recruited according to gender, age and geographic region.

The questionnaire was completed by 1043 respondents (response rate 85%). Mean age was 41 years (range 20-72 years). Participants had mixed awareness of risk reduction strategies for melanoma but had high perceived concerns about developing melanoma. However, 48.9% regularly sunbathed when sunny in Ireland and 41.5% had used tanning beds. The most common reason for not photoprotecting while sunbathing was because it prevented tanning. Nearly half (45.9%) of those who sunbathed agreed that it was worth getting sunburned to get a tan, and 69.4% reported feeling and looking better with a tan. Less than half (42.4%) felt confident about what to look for when checking their skin for melanoma.

This study underscores the importance of addressing the cultural and aesthetic aspects of sun-tanning behaviour in skin cancer prevention efforts, as well as increasing awareness of skin cancer signs and self-examination. Further research into the potential addictive nature of UV-seeking behaviour may offer new avenues for intervention and support for individuals who are addicted to tanning.

In order to explore the huge impact of impaired immnue homeostasis on the occurrence and development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and investigate characterization of the cellular components and their changes which is crucial to understanding the pathologic process of HPV-induced cSCC, we diagnosed and followed up on a very rare HPV-induced cSCC patient who progressed at a very fast rate and transferred to death quickly. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of 11 379 cells from the skin tissues of this patient with four different skin statuses after HPV infection. Immunofluorescence experiments were used for validation. scRNA-seq identified that CD52+ HLA-DOA- macrophages only existed in paracancerous cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (pc-cSCC) and cSCC tissue. Besides, immune cells including CD8+ exhausted T cells and CD4+ regulatory T cells as well as matrix cells like MMP1+, and MMP11+ fibroblasts were gradually increased. Meanwhile, COMP+ ASPN+ fibroblasts gradually decreased. Cell interaction analysis revealed enhancement in interactions between monocytes/macrophages, fibroblasts and tumour-specific keratinocytes. scRNA-seq was performed in HPV-induced cSCC for the first time, to explore the correlation between infection and tumour. It is the first time to study the development of tumours from different stages of infection in HPV-induced cSCC. In this study, the tumour itself and the tumour microenvironment were both analysed and explored. And it was validated in clinical samples from different patients. Our findings reveal the dynamic immnue homeostasis from normal skin to cSCC tissue, this alteration might drive HPV-induced cSCC.

Outpatient visits for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and actinic keratoses (AK) have risen steadily in the United States, notably among Medicare beneficiaries. Individuals may delay seeking care for minimally symptomatic conditions until they qualify for Medicare coverage, indicating potential delay of nonurgent screening interventions for uninsured or underinsured patients younger than 65 years.

This study investigates whether an atypical increase in outpatient visits for NMSC, AK, or actinic cheilitis (AC) occurs at the age of Medicare transition by utilizing the National Ambulatory Care Survey from 1993 to 2019.

The National Ambulatory Care Survey data were analyzed for patients aged within 5 years of 65 years. Diagnoses were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes. Linear regression and outlier detection were used to identify a relationship between Medicare eligibility and outpatient visits for NMSC and AK/AC.

Predicted visits for AK/AC and NMSC increased with age. However, there was no evidence of a disproportionate increase in outpatient visits for NMSC and AK/AC at the age of Medicare eligibility.

Outside evidence indicates health care utilization increases after Medicare transition. This study's data do not support a corresponding rise in outpatient visits for NMSC and AK/AC at the age of Medicare eligibility.

Secondary prevention of skin cancer consists in early detection of malignant lesions through patients' mole self-examination and medical examination. The objective of this study was to assess the self-reported  frequency of mole examination in a large, representative sample of the adult general population of 17 countries from all continents. Of a total of 17,001 participants, 4.8% had their moles checked by a dermatologist more than once a year, 11.3% once a year, 8.4% every 2-3 years, 12.4% once in a while, 10.3% once in lifetime, and 52.6% of participants had never performed a mole examination. Egypt was the country with the highest prevalence of people who performed a moles check more than once a year (15.9%), followed by Brazil and the USA. A higher frequency of mole checks was associated with sex (man vs woman), higher education, higher income, fair phototype, history of skin cancer, medical insurance, and sun-protective behaviours. Despite recommendations by health providers, it appears that the frequency of mole checks in the general population is still low. It is necessary for dermatologists to keep informing at-risk populations about the importance of moles check, with particular care regarding categories that less frequently adhere to secondary prevention measures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate existing staging recommendations for peri-implantitis and its applicability for auricular bone anchoring.

In this cross-sectional study, 44 patients treated with 47 ear epitheses and 128 implants were analyzed over 191.6 months (mean). Peri-implant sulcus depth, sulcus fluid flow rate, and peri-implant skin reaction, as well as cleaning habits and patients' quality of life, were analyzed. Mixed effect linear and mixed effect ordered logistic regression models were used.

Two of the 128 implants were lost (1.6 %). A total of 14.5 % of all patients presented light erythemas, 19.4 % showed stage 2, 4.8 % stage 3, and 12.9 % an acute infection according to Holgers. A correlation between skin reaction and sulcus fluid flow rate was observed, when grouping patients with acute signs of inflammation. Concerning patient satisfaction, 58.1 % of the patients were highly satisfied with their epitheses, 39.5 % very satisfied, and one patient was just satisfied. Younger age correlated with lower satisfaction rates.

Implant-retained auricular epitheses are a safe, highly sufficient and satisfying way of extending ear reconstruction. Sulcus depth and skin reaction are quick and valuable assessment tools in auricular implants, but skin reaction alone was clinically insufficient to predict peri-implant pocket inflammation.

The number of skin cancer cases and related deaths continues to increase worldwide, including in Portugal. The lack of efficient health care leaves the southern Portuguese population at risk of presenting skin lesions at later stages. An initiative for skin cancer screening and medical care follow-up was created by the nonprofit organization Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro - Núcleo Regional do Sul (LPCC-NRS).

Information was gathered from 4,398 participants in several Southern Portugal regions, from January 2021 to July 2022. Descriptive and lesion risk statistical analyses were applied.

Participants' characteristics were described, and risk assessment was performed differentially between premalignant (n = 577) and malignant lesions (n = 176). The main risk factor for both was male gender. From the described suspicious malignant lesions, 31.8% were confirmed (n = 56), among which there were 43 basal cell carcinomas (BCC), 9 cutaneous melanomas (CM), and 4 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).

Data analysis pointed to a need for improved participant recruitment, especially of male participants, and health literacy assessment in future screenings.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer globally in white ethinicity populations, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common subtype. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted public and private healthcare systems. Many studies have reported reduced cancer diagnoses during the pandemic. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global cSCC and NMSC incidence is poorly reported.

The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global cSCC and NMSC incidence rates, compared with 2019 incidence rates. Two primary outcome measures were used: crude incidence rate ratios (CIRR) and age-standardised incidence rate ratios (ASIRR).

A structured search was undertaken on 23 March 2023 using grey literature and four electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science. Studies published before January 2020 were excluded. A quality assessment was undertaken using A. Lomas quality assessment tool. CIRR outcomes were synthesised in a meta-analysis, while ASIRR outcomes were narratively synthesised.

Fourteen cancer registries were included, capturing data from 13 countries across Europe. Variation was observed in NMSC and cSCC incidence across the cancer registries. Pooled cSCC crude incidence rates in 2020 were equal to crude incidence rates in 2019 (cSCC-CIRR 1.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.06). In 2021, the pooled result indicated a non-significant 8% increase in cSCC crude incidence rates, compared with 2019 (cSCC-CIRR 1.08 (95% CI 0.98-1.19). Significant reductions were reported in NMSC incidence across all meta-analyses in 2020 and 2021 compared with 2019. Heterogeneity was observed across most pooled estimates (I 2>75%).

There was a lack of high quality data on cSCC incidence rates recorded during the pandemic outside of Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in no significant changes in cSCC incidence across Europe. By contrast, NMSC incidence fell across Europe following the pandemic. Significant reductions in pooled NMSC incidence rates may reflect a delay in basal cell carcinoma presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Although annual incidence rates for cSCC were not affected by the pandemic, delays in treatment may still have occurred, which may result in poorer outcomes yet to be fully understood.

Giant basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) is a rare subtype of BCC which is characterized by aggressive biological behavior with extensive local invasion, frequent metastasis, and poor prognosis. It arises almost exclusively on hair-bearing skin. It has been rarely reported on sole. Various pathogenic factors such as arsenic exposure, ionizing radiation, repeated trauma, and hereditary syndromes have been implicated. A combination of optical coherence tomography and reflectance confocal microscopy can provide useful information for both depth and horizontal extension of tumor and could be used before surgery to explore subclinical extension. Wide local excision of the lesion with histologically confirmed negative margins for the reconstruction of the defect, followed by adjuvant chemoradiation gives a better outcome compared to radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Chemotherapy with cisplatin-based treatment is the most common regimen. We report a case of giant BCC on the sole in an elderly male. After excision, the defect was treated with skin grafting.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common keratinocyte cancer, presents a substantial public health challenge due to its high prevalence. Traditional diagnostic methods, which rely on visual examination and histopathological analysis, do not include metabolomic data. This exploratory study aims to molecularly characterize BCC and diagnose tumour tissue by applying matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) and machine learning (ML). BCC tumour development was induced in a mouse model and tissue sections containing BCC (n = 12) were analysed. The study design involved three phases: (i) Model training, (ii) Model validation and (iii) Metabolomic analysis. The ML algorithm was trained on MS data extracted and labelled in accordance with histopathology. An overall classification accuracy of 99.0% was reached for the labelled data. Classification of unlabelled tissue areas aligned with the evaluation of a certified Mohs surgeon for 99.9% of the total tissue area, underscoring the model's high sensitivity and specificity in identifying BCC. Tentative metabolite identifications were assigned to 189 signals of importance for the recognition of BCC, each indicating a potential tumour marker of diagnostic value. These findings demonstrate the potential for MALDI-MSI coupled with ML to characterize the metabolomic profile of BCC and to diagnose tumour tissue with high sensitivity and specificity. Further studies are needed to explore the potential of implementing integrated MS and automated analyses in the clinical setting.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) form the majority of skin cancers, with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) being the most common and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) being second. Prolonged ultraviolet (UV) exposure, aging, male gender, and immunosuppression represent most of the causes of this category of diseases. BCCs and cSCCs both include different types of skin cancers, such as nodular or morpheaform BCC or flat cSCC. Locally advanced and metastatic NMSCs cannot be treated surgically; thus, systemic therapy (TKI and Immunotherapy) is needed. Interestingly, NMSCs are frequently linked to abnormal Hedgehog (HH) signaling which most systemic immunotherapies for these cancers are based upon. Of note, the first line therapies of BCC, sonidegib and vismodegib, are HH inhibitors. Programmed death receptor 1 antibody (PD-1) inhibitors such as cemiplimab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab have been approved for the treatment of cSCC. Thus, this paper reviews the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features, and treatment options for both BCC and cSCC.

Exposure to inorganic arsenic (As) is recognized as a risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). We followed up with 7000 adults for 6 years who were exposed to As. During follow-up, 2.2% of the males and 1.3% of the females developed basal cell carcinoma (BCC), while 0.4% of the male and 0.2% of the female participants developed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Using a panel of more than 400 cancer-related genes, we detected somatic mutations (SMs) in the first 32 NMSC samples (BCC = 26 and SCC = 6) by comparing paired (tissue-blood) samples from the same individual and then comparing them to the SM in healthy skin tissue from 16 participants. We identified (a) a list of NMSC-associated SMs, (b) SMs present in both NMSC and healthy skin, and (c) SMs found only in healthy skin. We also demonstrate that the presence of non-synonymous SMs in the top mutated genes (like PTCH1, NOTCH1, SYNE1, PKHD1 in BCC and TP53 in SCC) significantly affects the magnitude of differential expressions of major genes and gene pathways (basal cell carcinoma pathways, NOTCH signaling, IL-17 signaling, p53 signaling, Wnt signaling pathway). These findings may help select groups of patients for targeted therapy, like hedgehog signaling inhibitors, IL17 inhibitors, etc., in the future.

Histone chaperones are integral to chromatin dynamics, facilitating the assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes, thereby playing a crucial role in regulating gene expression and maintaining genomic stability. Moreover, they prevent aberrant histone interactions prior to chromatin assembly. Disruption in histone chaperone function may result in genomic instability, which is implicated in pathogenesis. This review aims to elucidate the role of histone chaperones in cancer pathologies and explore their potential as therapeutic targets. Histone chaperones have been found to be dysregulated in various cancers, with alterations in expression levels, mutations, or aberrant interactions leading to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In addition, this review intends to highlight the molecular mechanisms of interactions between histone chaperones and oncogenic factors, underscoring their roles in cancer cell survival and proliferation. The dysregulation of histone chaperones is significantly correlated with cancer development, establishing them as active contributors to cancer pathology and viable targets for therapeutic intervention. This review advocates for continued research into histone chaperone-targeted therapies, which hold potential for precision medicine in oncology. Future advancements in understanding chaperone functions and interactions are anticipated to lead to novel cancer treatments, enhancing patient care and outcomes.

Ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer, but the exact mechanism by which it occurs and the most effective methods of intervention to prevent it are yet unknown. For this purpose, our study will use bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to discover potential biomarkers of skin cancer for early diagnosis and prevention of disease with applicable clinical treatments.

This study compared gene expression and protein levels in ultraviolet-mediated cultured keratinocytes and adjacent normal skin tissue using RNA sequencing data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information-Gene Expression Omnibus (NCBI-GEO) database. Then, pathway analysis was employed with a selection of hub genes from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and the survival and expression profiles. Finally, potential clinical biomarkers were validated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

We identified 32 shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by analyzing three different subsets of the GSE85443 dataset. Skin cancer development is related to the control of several DEGs through cyclin-dependent protein serine/threonine kinase activity, cell cycle regulation, and activation of the NIMA kinase pathways. The cytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape identified 12 hub genes from PPI; among these 3 DEGs, namely, AURKA, CDK4, and PLK1 were significantly associated with survival (P < 0.05) and highly expressed in skin cancer tissues. For validation purposes, ROC curve analysis indicated two biomarkers: AURKA (area under the curve (AUC) value = 0.8) and PLK1 (AUC value = 0.7), which were in an acceptable range.

Further translational research, including clinical experiments, teratogenicity tests, and in-vitro or in-vivo studies, will be performed to evaluate the expression of these identified biomarkers regarding the prognosis of skin cancer patients.

Age-related differences in the safety profile of cemiplimab for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) have not been well described. We investigated the association of increasing age with immune related adverse events (irAE) from cemiplimab, efficacy outcomes, and the prognostic significance of pre-treatment blood biomarkers in contemporary practice.

Patients starting first-line cemiplimab for locally advanced or metastatic cSCC at British Columbia Cancer between April 2019 and January 2023 were identified. Landmark four-month logistic regression analysis compared the odds of developing irAE or sequelae amongst patients aged <75 years to those aged 75-84 or ≥ 85. Objective responses were determined using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Univariable Cox proportional hazard (PH) regression modelling of factors associated with overall survival (OS) was performed.

Of 106 patients, the proportions aged <75, 75-84, and ≥ 85 years were 34%, 45%, and 21%, respectively. Overall, the proportion of patients with irAE ≥ grade 3, cemiplimab discontinuation, and hospitalization for immune toxicity was 27.4%, 31.1%, and 11.3%, respectively. There was no clear association between age and the odds of high grade irAE. However, increased odds of cemiplimab discontinuation was observed in patients aged 75-84 years (p = 0.05). Patients ≥85 years had increased hospitalizations due to irAE (OR = 5.00, 95% CI = 0.97-37.52) with two treatment-related deaths. Objective responses were similar across age cohorts (50.0%, 60.4%, and 54.5%) but progressive disease was higher in the age ≥ 85 group (22.2%, 18.8%, and 31.8%). On Cox PH regression analysis, age ≥ 85 years (vs. <75), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2-3 (vs. 0-1), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥7.80 (vs. <7.80) were associated with shorter survival.

While the odds of high grade irAE were similar across age groups, significant age-related differences in treatment discontinuation and hospitalization due to immune toxicity were observed. Despite a higher incidence of primary progression and shorter OS in the oldest cohort, cemiplimab yielded robust objective responses regardless of age. Higher pre-treatment NLR was associated with shorter survival and the cut-point identified requires further study.

Surgical management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) typically involves surgical excision with post-operative margin assessment using the bread-loafing technique; or gold-standard Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), where margins are iteratively examined for residual cancer after tumour removal, with additional excisions performed upon detecting residual tumour at margins. There is limited sampling of resection margins with bread loafing, with detection of positive margins 44% of the time using 2 mm intervals. To resolve this, we have developed three-dimensional (3D) Tissue Imaging for: (1) complete examination of cancer margins and (2) detection of tumour proximity to nerves and blood vessels. 3D Tissue optical clearing with a light sheet imaging protocol was developed for margin assessment in two datasets assessed by two independent evaluators: (1) 48 samples from 29 patients with varied BCC subtypes, sizes and pigmentation levels; (2) 32 samples with matching Mohs' surgeon reading of tumour margins using two-dimensional haematoxylin & eosin-stained sections. The 3D Tissue Imaging protocol permits a complete examination of deeper and peripheral margins. Two independent evaluators achieved negative predictive values of 92.3% and 88.24% with 3D Tissue Imaging. Images obtained from 3D Tissue Imaging recapitulates histological features of BCC, such as nuclear crowding, palisading and retraction clefting and provides a 3D context for recognising normal skin adnexal structures. Concurrent immunofluorescence labelling of nerves and blood vessels allows visualisation of structures closer to tumour-positive regions, which may have a higher risk for neural and vascular infiltration. Together, this method provides more information in a 3D spatial context, enabling better cancer management by clinicians.

Given the significant occurrence of skin cancer in the Middle East and the existing research gap concerning its incidence and trends, this research aimed to study the epidemiology and trend changes of skin cancer in the Golestan province, Northeastern Iran.

The Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry's (GPCR's) data bank was utilized to gather information on confirmed skin cancer cases in the province during 2005-2018. We used Poisson regression analysis for comparing incidence rates between groups. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Of 1690 patients (mean age: 62.05±15.83 years), most were male (60.1%) and resided in urban areas (61.5%). The age-standardized rate (ASR) of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer was 8.49 and 0.56 per 100000 persons-year, respectively. A notably higher ASR for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was observed in men (ASR: 10.60; 95% CI: 9.91-11.29) (P<0.01) and urban residents (ASR: 10.19; 95% CI: 9.52-10.82) (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the ASR of melanoma skin cancer based on gender (P=0.24) and place of residence (P=0.48). The incidence trend of melanoma (estimated annual percent change [EAPC]: -3.28; 95% CI: -18.54 to 14.83) and NMSC (EAPC: 0.39; 95% CI: -3.99 to 4.97) did not differ significantly.

During the 14-year study period, the ASR of both types of skin cancer exhibited a consistent pattern, except for NMSC, which showed higher rates among men and urban residents. This should be taken into consideration when formulating preventive and control strategies in the study area.

China has the highest number of new cancer cases and deaths globally. Due to particularly low scores in health care quality for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), the country's cSCC burden requires greater awareness. Consequently, we aimed to evaluate and predict the trend of the cSCC burden globally and in China from 1990 to 2030.

We retrieved data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study, which provided estimates of the incidence, mortality, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of cSCC from 1990 to 2019. We set up joint-point analyses and Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models to predict the disease burden of cSCC up to 2030.

In 2019, China reported age-standardised rates of cSCC prevalence, incidence, mortality, and DALYs of 2.54, 2.12, 0.88, and 16.76 per 100 000 population, respectively. The country's prevalence and incidence rates from 1990 to 2019 were lower than the global levels, but its mortality and DALY rates were higher. The age-standardised rates were higher for males, and the disease burden increased with each age group globally and in China. Moreover, the average annual percentage change showed all indicators were growing faster than the global levels. According to the BAPC model, there will be an upward trend in the prevalence and incidence globally and in China between 2020 and 2030, with a decrease in mortality and DALYs.

We observed an upward trend in the cSCC burden over the past 30 years in China. Prevalence and incidence are expected to continue at a higher rate than the global average in the next decade, while mortality and DALYs are predicted to decrease. As the Chinese population ages, efforts toward managing and preventing cSCC should be targeted towards the elderly population.

The incidence rates of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) skin cancers are rising, while the current diagnostic process is time-consuming. We describe the development of a novel approach to high-throughput sampling of tissue lipids using electroporation-based biopsy, termed e-biopsy. We report on the ability of the e-biopsy technique to harvest large amounts of lipids from human skin samples.

Here, 168 lipids were reliably identified from 12 patients providing a total of 13 samples. The extracted lipids were profiled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) providing cSCC, BCC, and healthy skin lipidomic profiles.

Comparative analysis identified 27 differentially expressed lipids (p < 0.05). The general profile trend is low diglycerides in both cSCC and BCC, high phospholipids in BCC, and high lyso-phospholipids in cSCC compared to healthy skin tissue samples.

The results contribute to the growing body of knowledge that can potentially lead to novel insights into these skin cancers and demonstrate the potential of the e-biopsy technique for the analysis of lipidomic profiles of human skin tissues.

5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment for actinic keratosis (AK) and has been studied as a treatment for noninvasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). PDT induces apoptosis and necrosis in AKs and cSCC. 5-ALA blue light PDT may modulate gene expression and pathways in surviving cells. In this study, differential gene expression and pathway analysis of cSCC and human dermal fibroblasts were compared before and after 5-ALA blue light PDT using RNA sequencing. No genes were differentially expressed after correcting for multiple testing (false discovery rate < 0.05). As a result, transcription factor, gene enrichment, and pathway analysis were performed with genes identified before multiple testing (p < 0.05). Pathways associated with proliferation and carcinogenesis were downregulated. These findings using 5-ALA blue light PDT are similar to previously published studies using methyl-aminolevulinic and red light protocols, indicating that surviving residual cells may undergo changes consistent with a less aggressive cancerous phenotype.

Chemokines play a key role in cancer processes, with CXCL1 being a well-studied example. Due to the lack of a complete summary of CXCL1's role in cancer in the literature, in this study, we examine the significance of CXCL1 in various cancers such as bladder, glioblastoma, hemangioendothelioma, leukemias, Kaposi's sarcoma, lung, osteosarcoma, renal, and skin cancers (malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma), along with thyroid cancer. We focus on understanding how CXCL1 is involved in the cancer processes of these specific types of tumors. We look at how CXCL1 affects cancer cells, including their proliferation, migration, EMT, and metastasis. We also explore how CXCL1 influences other cells connected to tumors, like promoting angiogenesis, recruiting neutrophils, and affecting immune cell functions. Additionally, we discuss the clinical aspects by exploring how CXCL1 levels relate to cancer staging, lymph node metastasis, patient outcomes, chemoresistance, and radioresistance.

whether screening for skin cancer affects melanoma-specific mortality in a population-based setting remains unclear.

in this population-based cohort study, we characterized and evaluated a skin cancer prevention program following a targeted screening approach conducted in 1989-1994 in the Austrian province Vorarlberg, with follow-up until 2019. The general population and attendees of a health examination program served for comparison.

in the screening program including full follow-up until 2019, 207 invasive and 187 in situ melanomas were identified in 8997 individuals. Incidences of invasive and in situ melanomas were elevated compared to the general population (IRR 2.92, 95%-CI 2.49-3.41, and IRR 4.13, 95%-CI 3.53-4.83, respectively) and the health examination program (HR 3.02, 95%-CI 2.59-3.52, and HR 3.90, 95%-CI 3.30-4.61, respectively). Breslow thickness and Clark's level at time of invasive diagnosis were significantly lower in 1989-2019, but the tumor characteristics of the melanomas diagnosed during 1989-1994 did not differ from the comparison groups. Moreover, melanoma mortality was significantly elevated in the screening program (IRR 1.66, 95%-CI 1.00-2.75 vs. the general population, HR 2.12, 95%-CI 1.25-3.61 vs. the health examination cohort). Melanoma mortality in Vorarlberg declined until 2004, though statistically non-significantly.

given the uncertain effectiveness and high public expenditures of population-wide mass screening programs, primary prevention and targeted risk-based skin cancer screening might be promising alternatives.