Skin Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Cancer, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Differential expression of CCN1/CYR61, CCN3/NOV, CCN4/WISP1, and CCN5/WISP2 in neurofibromatosis type 1 tumorigenesis.

Pasmant E, Ortonne N, Rittié L, Laurendeau I, Lévy P, Lazar V, Parfait B, Leroy K, Dessen P, Valeyrie-Allanore L, Perbal B, Wolkenstein P, Vidaud M, Vidaud D, Bièche I

UMR745 INSERM, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, France. eric.pasmant@etu.univ-paris5.fr

The hallmark of neurofibromatosis type 1 is the development of dermal and plexiform neurofibromas. Neurofibromatosis type 1 patients with plexiform neurofibromas are at risk of developing malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. We applied a 22,000-oligonucleotide microarray transcriptomic approach to a series of plexiform neurofibromas in comparison with dermal neurofibromas, and results were confirmed with real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Thirteen genes were upregulated and 10 were downregulated in plexiform neurofibromas. The upregulated genes mainly encode molecules involved in cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, fibrogenesis, and angiogenesis. Several CCN gene family members were dysregulated in neurofibromatosis type 1 tumorigenesis; the angiogenic gene CCN1/CYR61 was specifically upregulated in the plexiform neurofibromas; CCN4/WISP1 was upregulated, and CCN3/NOV and CCN5/WISP2 were downregulated in paired comparisons of plexiform neurofibroma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor from the same patients. CCN1 and CCN3 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry in neurofibromatosis type 1-associated tumors. Upregulation of S100A8, S100A9, and CD36 was also observed and suggests a role of this pathway in inflammation-associated genesis of plexiform neurofibromas. In summary, a limited number of pathways are potentially involved in plexiform neurofibroma development. Some of the genes identified, particularly CCN1, might be useful diagnostic or prognostic markers or form the basis for novel therapeutic strategies.

Published 31 December 2009 in J Neuropathol Exp Neurol, 69(1): 60-9.
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Articles on Skin Cancer published 25 December 2009:

Cutaneous manifestations of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm-morphologic and phenotypic variability in a series of 33 patients.   Am J Surg Pathol, 34(1): 75-87.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a neoplasm derived from precursors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Cutaneous involvement represents often the first manifestation of the disease. We studied 45 skin biopsies from 33 patients (M:F=7.25:1; median age: 71 y; age range: 30 to 89) with BPDCN to delineate histopathologic and immunophenotypic features of this disease. Patients presented with generalized (n=18), localized (n=6), or solitary (n=9) macules, plaques, and/or tumors. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Skin Cancer published 21 December 2009:

Characteristics of cutaneous marginal zone lymphomas with marked plasmacytic differentiation and a T cell-rich background.   Am J Clin Pathol, 133(1): 59-69.

Primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a common B-cell lymphoma of skin and is characterized by an infiltrate of neoplastic marginal zone B cells typically within the marginal zones of reactive lymphoid follicles and the interfollicular region. However, in our experience, many cases have underemphasized features such as marked plasmacytic differentiation and/or a prominent T-cell component, which may obscure the neoplastic B cells and lead to misdiagnosis. We wanted to draw attention ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Skin Cancer published 18 December 2009:

Phase II multicenter trial of maintenance biotherapy after induction concurrent Biochemotherapy for patients with metastatic melanoma.   J Clin Oncol, 27(36): 6207-12.

PURPOSE: Biochemotherapy improves responses in metastatic melanoma, but not overall survival, in randomized trials. We developed a maintenance biotherapy regimen after induction biochemotherapy in an attempt to improve durability of responses and overall survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-three chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic melanoma without CNS metastases were treated at 10 melanoma centers. The biochemotherapy induction regimen included cisplatin, vinblastine, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Final version of 2009 AJCC melanoma staging and classification.   J Clin Oncol, 27(36): 6199-206.

PURPOSE: To revise the staging system for cutaneous melanoma on the basis of data from an expanded American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Melanoma Staging Database. METHODS: The melanoma staging recommendations were made on the basis of a multivariate analysis of 30,946 patients with stages I, II, and III melanoma and 7,972 patients with stage IV melanoma to revise and clarify TNM classifications and stage grouping criteria. RESULTS: Findings and new definitions include the following: (1) in ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Skin Cancer published 16 December 2009:

Srcasm inhibits Fyn-induced cutaneous carcinogenesis with modulation of Notch1 and p53.   Cancer Res, 69(24): 9439-47.

Src family tyrosine kinases (SFK) regulate cell proliferation, and increased SFK activity is common in human carcinomas, including cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and its precursors. The elevated SFK activity in cutaneous SCCs was modeled using K14-Fyn Y528F transgenic mice, which spontaneously form punctate keratotic lesions, scaly plaques, and large tumors resembling actinic keratoses, SCC in situ, and SCCs, respectively. Lesional tissue showed increased levels of activated SFKs, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Skin Cancer published 7 December 2009:

Expanded extracolonic tumor spectrum in MUTYH-associated polyposis.   Gastroenterology, 137(6): 1976-85.e1-10.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) is characterized by a lifetime risk of colorectal cancer of up to 100%. However, no systematic evaluation of extracolonic manifestations has been reported. METHODS: A large cohort of MAP patients was recruited from a European multicenter study. Data were collected on 276 cases from 181 unrelated families. Information on extracolonic tumor spectrum and incidence were evaluated to determine cumulative lifetime risk, which was compared with ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

How I treat mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.   Blood, 114(20): 4337-53.

The most common subtypes of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). The majority of patients have indolent disease; and given the incurable nature of MF/SS, management should focus on improving symptoms and cosmesis while limiting toxicity. Management of MF/SS should use a "stage-based" approach; treatment of early-stage disease (IA-IIA) typically involves skin directed therapies that include topical corticosteroids, phototherapy ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Skin Cancer published 4 December 2009:

Persistence of betapapillomavirus infections as a risk factor for actinic keratoses, precursor to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.   Cancer Res, 69(23): 8926-31.

Human papillomaviruses from the beta genus (betaPV) are a possible cause of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We assessed the extent to which betaPV infections persisted long-term in a subtropical Australian community and whether betaPV persistence is positively associated with actinic keratoses, precursor for SCC. Eyebrow hairs were collected from 171 participants of the community-based Nambour Skin Cancer Study in 1996 and 2003. Hair samples were tested for the presence of DNA from 25 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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