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Updated: May 21, 2026
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Global and Current Research Trends of Single-Cell Sequencing in Cancer: A Bibliometric and Visualization Study
Published on: April 18, 2025
Field cancerization: something new under the sun
Sakari Vanharanta1, Joan Massagué
1Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Cell
|June 12, 2012
Summary
Extensive sun exposure causes skin cancer by damaging skin cells. New research shows UV radiation also triggers epigenetic changes in dermal fibroblasts, promoting tumor growth and emphasizing tumor-stroma interactions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Skin cancer is primarily linked to mutations in keratinocyte and melanocyte precursors due to sun exposure.
- The tumor microenvironment, including dermal fibroblasts, plays a crucial role in cancer progression.
Discussion:
- Hu et al. demonstrate that ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces epigenetic modifications in dermal fibroblasts.
- These epigenetic changes in fibroblasts can promote tumor development, suggesting a novel mechanism of skin carcinogenesis.
Key Insights:
- Sun exposure's impact on skin cancer extends beyond direct DNA mutations in tumor cells.
- Epigenetic alterations in the skin's stromal cells (dermal fibroblasts) are implicated in promoting skin cancer.
- Tumor-stroma interactions are critical in the development and progression of skin cancer.
Outlook:
- Further research into fibroblast epigenetics could reveal new therapeutic targets for skin cancer.
- Understanding these stromal contributions may lead to improved preventative strategies against sun-induced skin damage and cancer.
- This study underscores the complexity of skin cancer etiology, involving both genetic and epigenetic factors influenced by environmental exposures.
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