Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
09:37
Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Superficial, nodular, and morpheiform basal-cell carcinomas exhibit distinct gene expression profiles
Mei Yu1, David Zloty, Bryce Cowan
1Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|January 18, 2008
Summary
Gene expression patterns differ among basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) subtypes. Morpheiform BCCs show unique gene expression related to DNA damage response, suggesting distinct behaviors and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human neoplasm with diverse morphological presentations.
- The molecular mechanisms driving BCC development and subtype-specific behaviors remain incompletely understood.
- Distinct gene expression profiles may underlie the different morphological and potentially invasive characteristics of BCC subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare global gene expression profiles across different BCC morphological subtypes (superficial, nodular, morpheiform) and normal skin.
- To identify specific genes and biological pathways that are differentially expressed among BCC subtypes.
- To correlate gene expression patterns with the known clinical behavior of BCC subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 21K cDNA microarrays to analyze global gene expression in superficial (n=8), nodular (n=8), and morpheiform (n=7) BCCs, compared to normal skin (n=8).
- Employed Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) for statistical definition of gene expression profiles.
- Validated key gene expression findings using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) on an expanded cohort of 31 BCCs.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in gene expression patterns were observed across BCC subtypes, particularly involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.
- Genes associated with response to DNA-damage stimulus were uniquely upregulated in morpheiform BCCs.
- Superficial and nodular BCC subtypes exhibited relatively similar gene expression profiles, while morpheiform BCCs showed greater diversity.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression patterns in BCC subtypes are distinct and correlate with their morphological and potentially invasive phenotypes.
- Morpheiform BCCs display unique molecular characteristics, including upregulation of DNA damage response genes, aligning with their more invasive nature.
- These findings provide insights into the complex biology of BCC subtypes and may inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...