Skin Deep and Deeper: Multiple Pathways in Basal Cell Carcinogenesis

The document summarizes research by Villani et al. on basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and the role of the hedgehog (Hh) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathways in its development. Villani et al. found that insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) is a mediator in the expansion of epidermal stem/progenitor cells in BCC, which is driven by hedgehog signaling. This is notable because IGFBP2 typically inhibits IGF-induced proliferation. The study also indicates that IGFBP2 expression is elevated in human BCC samples, not just in mouse models. The document compares Villani et al.'s findings with those of Youssef et al., suggesting that differences in the cell of origin for BCC may be due to the timing and mechanism of Hh pathway activation. It emphasizes the potential for new BCC treatments through targeted inhibition of Hh signaling and understanding the interaction between Hh and IGF pathways.