Telomeres and Telomerase in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Cristina Pellegrini¹  Valeria Ciciarelli¹  MariaConcetta Fargnoli¹  Alessandra Ventura¹  Tea Rocco¹  Ludovica Cardelli¹  Ketty Peris² 

[1] Department of Dermatology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;Institute of Dermatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00186 Rome, Italy;

关键词: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma;    telomere;    telomerase;    TERT promoter;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms20061333

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The role of telomere biology and telomerase activation in skin cancers has been investigated in melanoma and basal cell carcinoma but limited evidence is available for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). We will review the current knowledge on the role of telomere and telomerase pathway in cSCC pathogenesis. At the somatic level, both long and short telomere lengths have been described in cSCC. This telomere dichotomy is probably related to two different mechanisms of tumour initiation which determines two tumour subtypes. Telomere shortening is observed during the invasive progression from in situ forms of cSCC, such as Bowen’s disease (BD) and actinic keratosis (AK), to invasive cSCC. At the germline level, controversial results have been reported on the association between constitutive telomere length and risk of cSCC. Approximately 75–85% of cSCC tumours are characterized by a high level of telomerase activity. Telomerase activation has been also reported in AKs and BD and in sun-damaged skin, thus supporting the hypothesis that UV modulates telomerase activity in the skin. Activating TERT promoter mutations have been identified in 32–70% of cSCCs, with the majority showing the UV-signature. No significant correlation was observed between TERT promoter mutations and cSCC clinico-pathological features. However, TERT promoter mutations have been recently suggested to be independent predictors of an adverse outcome. The attention on telomere biology and telomerase activity in cSCC is increasing for the potential implications in the development of effective tools for prognostic assessment and of therapeutic strategies in patients with cutaneous cSCC.

【 授权许可】

Unknown