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Kevin J. McElwee, PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. The incidence of BCC has been increasing rapidly worldwide by 10% each year since 1994, leading to a current 30% lifetime risk of developing BCC. The prevalence of BCC has been shown to be positively correlated with age due to cumulative skin damage from sun exposure over time. However, the incidence of BCC has also increased over time in people younger than 40, more so for women than for men. Although the mortality rate from BCC is low, the morbidity of the disease is significant because of the aggressive occurrence of BCCs on the face and body, and the significant cost of treatment. Thus, a better understanding of how BCCs develop is required, which will lead to new and improved treatments with reduced morbidity. Previously, our data revealed that production of certain chemical signals by cells, called chemokines, was significantly correlated with the growth patterns of BCCs. These chemokines have been shown to be involved in the progression and invasion of other types of malignant skin cancer and ovarian cancers. Our proposed research will aim at identifying the functional properties of these chemokines, and their impact on the development of BCCs by utilizing patient tissue samples, human cell lines, and rodent models. Ultimately, our results may reveal novel targets, the inhibition of which may lead to tumor regression. We anticipate these findings will have a significant contribution to the development of new treatments for BCCs. Peer-reviewed publications supported by the Canadian Dermatology Foundation M. Yu, D. Zloty, B. Cowan, J. Shapiro, A. Haegert, R. Bell, N. Carr, K.J. McElwee. Microarray analysis shows multiple signal transduction pathways are involved in basal cell carcinoma growth. J Invest Dermatol. In press. M. Yu, S. Kissling, R. Hoffmann, J. Shapiro, P. Freyschmidt-Paul, K.J. McElwee. IL-6 cytokine family member oncostatin M is a hair follicle expressed factor with hair growth inhibitory properties. Exp Dermatol. 2008; 17: 12-9. M. Yu, A. Finner, J. Shapiro, B. Lo, A. Barekatain, K.J. McElwee. Hair follicles and their role in skin health. Exp Rev Dermatol. 2006; 1: 855-871. M. Yu, J. Shapiro, M. Yu, A. Barekatain, B. Lo, A. Finner, K.J. McElwee. Alopecia areata: pathogenesis and potential for therapy. Exp Rev Mol Med. 2006;8:1-19. ©2008 |
