Basal cell carcinoma arising from xeroderma pigmentosum: a case report and an immunohistochemical study

Abstract

We describe a 26-year-old Japanese patient with basal cell carcinoma arising from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). Immunohistochemical staining revealed dense infiltration of CD163(+) M2 macrophages, together with Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. Interestingly, MMP9, which was reported as one of the functional markers for immunosuppressive macrophages, was also detected in the CD163(+) M2 macrophage-infiltrated areas. Our case suggests the immunological background of tumor development in a patient with XP.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; CD163+; Foxp3; M2 macrophages; Xeroderma pigmentosum.

Fig. 1

A waxy, glossy, blackish-brown nodule with telangiectasia on the nose (a). A blue-whitish area with dotted macules is surrounded by arborizing vessels (b). Multiple palisaded basophilic tumor islands are surrounded by infiltrating lymphocytes. Original magnification ×100 (c).

Fig. 2

A paraffin-embedded tissue sample was deparaffinized and stained using anti-CD8 Ab (a), anti-CD163 Ab (b), Foxp3 Ab (c) or anti-MMP9 Ab (d). The sections were developed with liquid permanent red. Original magnification ×200 (a–d).

Fig. 3

Summary of the number of immunosuppressive cells versus cytotoxic cells in the tumoral areas. Five representative fields of each section were selected. The number of immunoreactive cells was counted using an ocular grid of 1 cm² at a magnification of ×400. Data are expressed as the means ± SD of the number of immunosuppressive cells versus cytotoxic cells in each tumoral area. * p < 0.05.