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Skin Cancer Microenvironment: What We Can Learn from Skin Aging?
Andrea D'Arino1, Silvia Caputo2, Laura Eibenschutz1
1Oncologic and Preventative Dermatology, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico IRCCS, 00141 Rome, Italy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 28, 2023
Summary
Aging skin undergoes changes that may increase cancer risk. Senescent cells, while initially protective, can promote tumor growth and aggressiveness in aged skin, impacting melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aging involves intrinsic tissue changes and extrinsic damage like photoaging from UV exposure.
- Skin aging impacts cellular functions, including reduced immune competence and slower cell turnover.
- Photoaging exacerbates skin aging, potentially increasing skin cancer risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how aging processes influence skin cancer development and progression.
- To discuss the dual role of cellular senescence in cancer biology.
- To explore the relationship between aged fibroblasts and tumor aggressiveness.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of aging, photoaging, cellular senescence, and skin carcinogenesis.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular changes during skin aging.
- Examination of the interaction between aged cells and tumor cells.
Main Results:
- Cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging, has complex roles in cancer prevention and promotion.
- Aged skin and senescent cells may create a microenvironment that facilitates tumor progression.
- Tumor cells can induce pro-tumorigenic phenotypes in fibroblasts, mimicking aged cells.
Conclusions:
- Aging-related changes in the skin may prime it for neoplasm development.
- Aged fibroblasts might contribute to increased aggressiveness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
- Further research is needed to clarify the permissive role of aged skin in tumor onset.
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