Squamous cell carcinoma is known to have various precursors and precancerous lesions. Although it is thought to be based on chronic intractable inflammation such as burn scars, intractable ulcers, lupus vulgaris and discoid lupus erythematosus, there are many unclear points about the mechanism leading to carcinogenesis. Psoriasis, a representative chronic intractable inflammatory skin disease, has enhanced epidermal turnover and is considered to be a state close to cancer, but there are not many cases in which squamous cell carcinoma actually develops. Pyoderma gangrenosum is one of the precancerous conditions, whereas pustular psoriasis, also characterized by neutrophil infiltration, is considered to be more rarely secondary to squamous cell carcinoma. We once reported a 61-year-old woman with pustular psoriasis lesions with squamous cell carcinoma (Kaminaka et al, 2010 in Japanese). Collecting the cases with skin malignant tumors secondary to psoriasis reported in Japan from 1990 to 2010, it was found that there are 3 other cases of pustular psoriasis with secondary squamous cell carcinoma. Since the association between generalized pustular psoriasis and the IL36RN gene mutation has been revealed, DNA was extracted from the skin biopsy and/or surgical specimens of these four cases that had already died, and the IL36RN gene mutations were searched. As a result, in all 4 cases, the T123M mutation already reported in generalized pustular psoriasis and the unreported novel mutation were found in homozygous, heterozygous, and mosaic. Although a structural analysis suggests any functional significance, in vitro analysis has not revealed any alteration on the function of IL-36 receptor antagonist by the novel mutation. Although the analysis of healthy, psoriasis and cancerous tissues has not been performed separately, the state of mutation differs depending on the section, suggesting that the presence of the novel mutation identified this time may be involved in canceration.

ESDR403 - A novel IL36RN mutation in squamous cell carcinoma developed in pustular psoriasis

The scientific meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) is held yearly, usually in September. With an international attendance of more than 1000 skin scientists from around the globe, the four-day event includes short oral presentations from peer-reviewed abstracts, keynote lectures from international experts, sponsored symposia, satellite programs, educational events as well as an important focus on posters, networking and building collaborations amongst scientists. For more information about this year’s meeting visit our website.