Exploring multisite heterogeneity of human basal cell carcinoma proteome and transcriptome

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer.
• Current treatment protocols for BCC are not well-defined due to complex molecular aberrations.
• Understanding tumor heterogeneity is crucial for effective BCC management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multisite molecular heterogeneity of human basal cell carcinoma.
• To analyze gene expression profiles based on proteome and RNA measurements.
• To compare intra-tumor and inter-tumor heterogeneity across different BCC subtypes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of RNA and proteome profiling from three distinct areas of BCC lesions from 9 patients.
• Assessment of intra-tumor heterogeneity within individual patients.
• Comparison of inter-tumor heterogeneity across nodular, infiltrative, and superficial BCC subtypes.

Main Results:

• Significant overlap was observed in intra- and inter-tumor variability of proteome and RNA expression profiles.
• Multisite heterogeneity of protein expression was confirmed in BCC tumors.
• Unique proteins were identified for each BCC subtype, indicating distinct molecular signatures.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a deeper understanding of basal cell carcinoma molecular heterogeneity.
• Identified molecular differences may aid in developing novel sampling tools.
• Findings support the advancement of personalized diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for BCC.