Ornithine Decarboxylase as a Target for Chemoprevention of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Ptch1+/– Mice

March 2004 in “ Journal of Clinical Investigation ”

Xiuwei Tang, Arianna L. Kim, David J. Feith, Anthony E. Pegg, Justin Russo, Hong Zhang, Michelle Aszterbaum, Levy Kopelovich, Ervin H. Epstein, David R. Bickers, Mohammad Athar

ornithine decarboxylase basal cell carcinomas squamous cell carcinomas Ptch1 UVB exposure antizyme α-difluoromethylornithine ODC BCC DFMO

Studysummary This study found that inhibiting the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) prevented UVB-induced basal cell carcinomas in a mouse model, suggesting ODC is a potential target for chemoprevention strategies.

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The study demonstrated that ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) played a crucial role in the development of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) in Ptch1+/– mice, particularly under UVB exposure. Overexpression of ODC accelerated BCC induction, while inhibition of ODC, both genetically through antizyme (AZ) overexpression and pharmacologically using α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), significantly reduced tumor incidence. DFMO treatment notably decreased visible tumors by about 30% and microscopic lesions by over 80%. These findings suggested that targeting ODC could be a viable chemopreventive strategy to reduce BCC risk, with minimal adverse effects observed.

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