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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Towards a more specific therapy: targeting nonmelanoma skin cancer cells
1Department of Dermatology, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany. rolf-markus.szeimies@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Abstract:
Epithelial cancers of the skin, e.g. basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are the most common tumours in humans with increasing incidence. Hence the development of new therapeutic strategies is of utmost interest. For many years the most often used conventional therapies for these diseases were surgical procedures such as curettage and electrodesiccation, excision or, with so far the best outcome in terms of remission rates, micrographic surgery. Other ablative treatment modalities are cryotherapy, radiation therapy or the use of lasers (Er:YAG, CO(2)). All those above-mentioned treatments have in common that they are quite unspecific and do not target the tumour itself or its environment, thus leading to unwanted effects in the surrounding tissue such as scar formation or other cosmetically disfiguring events. Therefore, the development of novel, more pathogenesis-based therapies such as the use of retinoids, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, topical immunomodulators, inhibitors of the sonic-hedgehog signalling pathway or photodynamic therapy are challenging new approaches.
Insights
New therapeutic strategies for common epithelial skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are needed. Current treatments lack specificity, prompting research into targeted, pathogenesis-based therapies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Epithelial skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are the most common human tumors with rising incidence.
- Conventional therapies like surgery, cryotherapy, radiation, and laser treatments are often unspecific, causing side effects such as scarring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for novel therapeutic strategies for epithelial skin cancers.
- To explore emerging, pathogenesis-based treatments that offer improved specificity and reduced side effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of conventional and emerging therapeutic modalities for epithelial skin cancers.
- Discussion of the limitations of current treatments and the rationale for novel approaches.
Main Results:
- Conventional treatments (surgery, cryotherapy, radiation, laser) lack specificity and can lead to cosmetic disfigurement.
- Novel therapies targeting specific pathways (retinoids, COX inhibitors, immunomodulators, sonic-hedgehog inhibitors, photodynamic therapy) show promise.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for more targeted and effective therapies for common epithelial skin cancers.
- Emerging pathogenesis-based treatments represent a promising avenue for improving patient outcomes and minimizing adverse effects.
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