Abstract 1489: Basal Cell Carcinomas Express Functional Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Which May Confer Immunoprotection

The study investigated the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and its potential role in conferring immune protection to the tumors. It was found that IDO-1 and IDO-2 were significantly upregulated in BCCs compared to non-lesional skin, with a 12.5- and 19.1-fold increase, respectively. The presence of IDO was confirmed through various methods, including real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. The study also demonstrated that IDO activity, indicated by increased L-kynurenine production, was enhanced by CXCL11 in BCC cell cultures but not in normal keratinocytes. These findings suggested that BCCs might use IDO to create an immune-privileged environment, and disrupting this mechanism could be a potential strategy for BCC treatment.