Epidermal characteristics related to skin cancer susceptibility

We have compared the basal cell labeling index and cellular architecture in samples of epidermis removed by vacuum blistering from people with or without a personal history of skin cancer. Donors with no family history of skin cancer showed a basal cell labeling index of 5.5% with a standard deviation of 1.3%. Those not personally affected but with a family history gave 4.1% +/- 0.4% but among cancer patients the value was approximately doubled to 11.5% +/- 2.7%. The proportion of cells replicating was reduced after ultraviolet irradiation, with a D0 of 40 J/m2 for UVB but no difference could be demonstrated between individuals with or without a history of skin cancer.