The actinic keratosis virome: can we prevent squamous cell carcinoma with a vaccine?

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Dermatology
• Virology
• Oncology

Background:

• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratosis (AK) are prevalent skin conditions, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Increased cancer risk in immunosuppressed patients often correlates with viral etiology, yet viruses are identified in only a few skin cancers (e.g., Merkel polyomavirus in Merkel cell carcinoma).
• The immunological puzzle of SCC and AK necessitates exploring potential viral contributions to their pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential role of viruses in the etiology of actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
• To evaluate the limitations of methodologies used to identify viral roles in AK and SCC development.
• To review existing evidence linking viral infections to the increased risk of AK and SCC in chronically immunosuppressed patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of current scientific literature and methodologies for detecting viral involvement in skin cancers.
• Analysis of existing data on the prevalence of AK and SCC in immune-suppressed populations.
• Critical assessment of the limitations in current research approaches for identifying viral etiologies in AK and SCC.

Main Results:

• While viruses are implicated in some skin cancers, direct causal viral links for AK and SCC remain largely unestablished.
• Methodological challenges exist in definitively attributing AK and SCC development to specific viruses.
• The increased incidence of AK in immunosuppressed individuals warrants further investigation beyond known viral associations.

Conclusions:

• The etiological role of viruses in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratosis (AK) requires further rigorous investigation.
• Current methodologies have limitations in establishing definitive viral links for these common skin conditions.
• Understanding the increased risk of AK in immunosuppressed patients may involve factors beyond identified viral contributions.