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Ramchatesingh B, Martínez Villarreal A, Arcuri D, Lagacé F, Setah SA, Touma F, Al-Badarin F, Litvinov IV. The Use of Retinoids for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Cancers: An Updated Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012622. [PMID: 36293471 PMCID: PMC9603842 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoids are natural and synthetic vitamin A derivatives that are effective for the prevention and the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). NMSCs constitute a heterogenous group of non-melanocyte-derived skin cancers that impose substantial burdens on patients and healthcare systems. They include entities such as basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (collectively called keratinocyte carcinomas), cutaneous lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma among others. The retinoid signaling pathway plays influential roles in skin physiology and pathology. These compounds regulate diverse biological processes within the skin, including proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis and immune regulation. Collectively, retinoids can suppress skin carcinogenesis. Both topical and systemic retinoids have been investigated in clinical trials as NMSC prophylactics and treatments. Desirable efficacy and tolerability in clinical trials have prompted health regulatory bodies to approve the use of retinoids for NMSC management. Acceptable off-label uses of these compounds as drugs for skin cancers are also described. This review is a comprehensive outline on the biochemistry of retinoids, their activities in the skin, their effects on cancer cells and their adoption in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Domenico Arcuri
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - François Lagacé
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Division of Dermatology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Samy Abu Setah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Fadi Touma
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Faris Al-Badarin
- Faculté de Médicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0V6, Canada
| | - Ivan V. Litvinov
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Division of Dermatology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Hoorens I, Vossaert K, Ongenae K, Brochez L. Is early detection of basal cell carcinoma worthwhile? Systematic review based on the WHO criteria for screening. Br J Dermatol 2016; 174:1258-65. [PMID: 26872563 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has risen three- to fourfold over the last 30 years and is expected to continue to increase with ageing of the population. Although BCC has a good prognosis, it causes significant morbidity and has an important impact on the public health budget due to direct treatment costs. Based on the existing evidence, a systematic evaluation of the World Health Organization criteria was performed to determine whether earlier detection of BCC could reduce morbidity and cost. BCC slowly increases in size, with a median increase in diameter of 0·5 mm over 10 weeks. There is an important delay in diagnosis ranging from 19 to 25 months. In several studies BCC size was the main determinant of treatment cost, surgical complexity, reconstruction technique and the specific surgical procedure performed, such as Mohs micrographic surgery or surgical excision. One study showed that size also seems to affect the cost per treatment for other nonsurgical options. The use of vismodegib, an inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway, is confined to locally advanced or metastatic BCC. Delays in diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the most important underlying causes in the occurrence of giant BCC and/or BCC with metastasis. Although the latter represent only a very small fraction of all BCCs, the majority of them are located in the facial region. The available data point to a slow increase in the size of BCCs over time. Size is one of the major determinants in choice of treatment and the associated cost, especially for facial BCC. Therefore we conclude that current data support early detection and adequate management of BCCs on the face.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hoorens
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - K Vossaert
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Private Practice, Maldegem, Belgium
| | - K Ongenae
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - L Brochez
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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