Milestones in Photocarcinogenesis
July 2013
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
UV radiation nonmelanoma skin cancers NMSC DNA damage gene mutations photocarcinogenesis immune system sunscreens chemopreventive agents T4 endonuclease V GDC-0449 difluoromethylornithine celecoxib high-fat diet inflammation actinic keratoses AKs UV light skin cancer sunblock chemoprevention skin inflammation precancerous skin lesions
TLDR UV radiation causes skin cancer, but sunscreens and certain drugs can help prevent it.
The document reviewed the mechanisms by which UV radiation causes nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), focusing on DNA damage and gene mutations. It described the multistage process of photocarcinogenesis and the immune system's role in tumor development. Preventive measures like sunscreens and chemopreventive agents (e.g., T4 endonuclease V, GDC-0449, difluoromethylornithine, and celecoxib) were emphasized for their efficacy in reducing NMSC incidence. The document also discussed the effectiveness of chemopreventive agents in high-risk individuals and highlighted that a high-fat diet could increase inflammation and promote UV-induced skin cancers. A randomized, controlled clinical trial showed that reduced dietary fat intake led to significantly fewer new actinic keratoses (AKs) and NMSCs. The study was supported by NIH and Veterans Administration grants, with no conflict of interest declared by the authors.
