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Review
. 2022 Jan 7:11:813132.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.813132. eCollection 2021.

Wounding Therapies for Prevention of Photocarcinogenesis

Timothy C Frommeyer  1 , Craig A Rohan  1   2   3 , Dan F Spandau  4   5 , Michael G Kemp  1   3 , Molly A Wanner  6 , Elizabeth Tanzi  7 , Jeffrey B Travers  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Wounding Therapies for Prevention of Photocarcinogenesis

Timothy C Frommeyer et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

The occurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is closely linked with advanced age and ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure. More specifically, the development of NMSC is linked to diminished insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling from senescent dermal fibroblasts in geriatric skin. Consequently, keratinocyte IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) remains inactive, resulting in failure to induce appropriate protective responses including DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint signaling. This allows UVB-induced DNA damage to proliferate unchecked, which increases the likelihood of malignant transformation. NMSC is estimated to occur in 3.3 million individuals annually. The rising incidence results in increased morbidity and significant healthcare costs, which necessitate identification of effective treatment modalities. In this review, we highlight the pathogenesis of NMSC and discuss the potential of novel preventative therapies. In particular, wounding therapies such as dermabrasion, microneedling, chemical peeling, and fractionated laser resurfacing have been shown to restore IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling in geriatric skin and suppress the propagation of UVB-damaged keratinocytes. This wounding response effectively rejuvenates geriatric skin and decreases the incidence of age-associated NMSC.

Keywords: actinic keratosis (AK); chemical peel; insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF- I); laser resurfacing; non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC); squamous cell carcinoma; ultraviolet light (UVB).

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Conflict of interest statement

MW has a grant and equipment from Solta. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanisms by which IGF-1R activation results in keratinocyte protection from UVB-irradiation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Model demonstrating young versus aged skin and the impact of wounding therapies on the response of geriatric skin to UVB-irradiation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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