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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Murine Full-thickness Skin Transplantation
Published on: January 2, 2017
Conversion from calcineurin inhibitors to sirolimus reduces vascularization and thickness of post-transplant
Anne-Laure Rival-Tringali1, Sylvie Euvrard, Evelyne Decullier
1Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôspital Edouard Herriot, Clinique Dermatologique (Pav. R), 69437 Lyon Cedex 03, France.
Background:
Immunosuppression favors the development of skin cancer. Experimental data suggest that sirolimus (SRL) has antitumoral and antiangiogenic properties. An investigation was undertaken into the effects of SRL on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) developing in organ transplant recipients (OTR) receiving immunosuppressive treatments, with special emphasis on vascularization.
Materials And Methods:
SCC that developed in eight OTR before and after conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) to SRL were compared for thickness, differentiation, ulceration, perineural invasion, density of peritumoral infiltrate, peritumoral vascularization, density of T-regulatory cells and of intratumoral Langerhans cells and growth fraction.
Results:
SCC developing under SRL showed lower peritumoral vascularization and thickness, and higher growth fraction and density of peritumoral T-regulatory cells.
Conclusion:
Conversion from CNI to SRL at clinically relevant doses is associated in vivo with a reduced vascularization and thickness of post-transplant human cutaneous SCC. This effect could account for the beneficial effect of SRL on immunosuppression-induced skin carcinogenesis in humans.
Insights
Sirolimus (SRL) reduces skin cancer vascularization and thickness in organ transplant recipients (OTR). This suggests SRL may help prevent skin cancer in immunosuppressed patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Immunosuppression increases skin cancer risk.
- Sirolimus (SRL) exhibits potential antitumoral and antiangiogenic effects.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common skin cancer in organ transplant recipients (OTR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of sirolimus (SRL) on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in organ transplant recipients (OTR).
- To evaluate the impact of SRL on SCC vascularization and other tumor characteristics.
- To compare SCC development before and after switching immunosuppression from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) to SRL.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of SCC characteristics in eight OTR before and after conversion from CNI to SRL.
- Assessment of SCC thickness, differentiation, ulceration, and perineural invasion.
- Analysis of peritumoral infiltrate, vascularization, T-regulatory cells, Langerhans cells, and growth fraction.
Main Results:
- SCCs developed under SRL demonstrated reduced peritumoral vascularization and thickness.
- SCCs under SRL exhibited increased growth fraction and density of peritumoral T-regulatory cells.
- These findings suggest a direct impact of SRL on tumor microenvironment and growth.
Conclusions:
- Conversion to SRL is associated with decreased vascularization and thickness of post-transplant cutaneous SCC.
- SRL may offer a beneficial effect in mitigating immunosuppression-induced skin carcinogenesis.
- Reduced vascularization by SRL could be a key mechanism in preventing skin cancer progression in OTR.
