Professional paper
Epidermal Malignant Tumors: Pathogenesis, Influence of UV Light and Apoptosis
Larisa Prpić Massari
Marija Kaštelan
Franjo Gruber
Abstract
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, collectively termed non-melanoma skin cancers are the most
commonmalignant tumors in humans. Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and metastatic spread is very rare. Squamous
cell carcinoma is characterized by infiltrative, destructive growth and metastasis. Long-term exposure of skin to UV light
has a great impact on development of these epidermal malignancies. UV light induces cascade of events like well known
DNA damage of keratinocytes as well as still completely undetermined influence on apoptotic process through expression
of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic molecules. The major role in development of skin cancer is given to proapoptotic p53
molecule or tumor suppressor gene which mutation due to UV exposure leads to resistance of DNA-damaged cell to
apoptosis. Other proapoptotic molecules such as Fas ligand (FasL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing
ligand (TRAIL) are strongly expressed in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma that could be explained by
the ability of tumor to escape the attack of immune system.
Keywords
basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; ultraviolet light; apoptosis; p53; FasL
Hrčak ID:
27430
URI
Publication date:
16.1.2007.
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