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Skin Microbiome Variation with Cancer Progression in Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Anita Y Voigt1, Akintunde Emiola1, Jethro S Johnson2
1The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|April 7, 2022
Summary
The skin microbiome shifts during skin cancer development. Staphylococcus aureus increases while Cutibacterium acnes decreases in squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting microbial changes as potential biomarkers for skin cancer.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- The skin microbiome is crucial for skin health and disease.
- Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes nonmelanoma skin cancer, but other factors like immune status and antibiotics suggest the microbiome's role.
- The skin microbiome is an unexplored risk factor and potential biomarker for skin cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate skin microbiome alterations in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratosis (AK) compared to healthy skin.
- To identify specific microbial changes associated with skin cancer development.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution shotgun metagenomic analysis of skin samples from AK, SCC, and healthy controls.
- Comparative analysis of microbial community composition and functional pathways.
Main Results:
- Distinct microbial community shifts were observed in AK and SCC.
- Squamous cell carcinoma showed increased Staphylococcus aureus and decreased Cutibacterium acnes compared to healthy skin.
- Strain-level differences in C. acnes were noted between lesional and healthy skin, indicating functional changes.
Conclusions:
- A transitional microbial dysbiosis occurs from healthy skin to AK to SCC.
- These findings support the skin microbiome as a potential biomarker for skin cancer.
- The study provides hypotheses for microbial influence on skin cancer progression.
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