How Does Inflammation Cause Skin Cancers?

Observations and controlled animal studies suggest that chronic inflammation induces SCCs; we may now know a bit more about how.

Chemokines are cytokines that attract lymphocytes. In skin, the CC class of chemokines may be especially important. Antigen-experienced T cells express CC-type receptors (CCRs); indeed, CCR4 mediates homing of cutaneous T cells. A novel chemokine receptor, D6, soaks up these CC chemokines and, in normal circumstances, helps shut off inflammation by making the chemokines unavailable.

Now, a group of researchers reports that D6-deficient mice show greatly increased susceptibility to developing papillomas induced by the inflammation-producing carcinogen phorbol ester. In contrast, transgenic mice with lots of D6 are resistant to tumor formation. Without D6 receptors, CC chemokine ligand-3 (CCL3) continues to attract aberrantly (in excess, and f…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)