Cutaneous field cancerization (FC) is a tissue area chronically exposed to sun light, in which cells present altered cell cycle, proliferation, differentiation, and death despite their normal appearance. On normal sun-exposed skin the most mutated gene is p53 which regulates the expression of p21 which controls cell cycle progression and cellular differentiation. Treatment of cutaneous FC with safe and low-cost molecules could reduce the probability of skin cancer recurrence. Nicotinamide (NAM) is the amide form of vitamin B3, a water-soluble molecule assumed by daily diet. NAM is cheap, safe and is used for the treatment of several cutaneous diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to understand whether NAM could improve cutaneous FC through ex-vivo experiments. We obtained full-thickness skin biopsies from 10 healthy patients, as control group, and from 40 NMSCs patients, diagnosed for AK, BCC or SCC. We isolated the epidermis that was cultured with/without NAM 25 μM for 18 and 24 hours on culture medium and incubated at 37°C. Through qRT-PCR we evaluated the expression of inflammatory (IL-6, IL-10), differentiation (CK10, CK14) and cell cycle (p53, p21, p16, NOTCH1) markers, while through western blotting we analyzed CK10, CK14 and p53 protein expression. We found that p53, NOTCH1 and p21 expression was lower on FC-skin biopsies in comparison with control samples. However, 18 hours treatment with NAM slightly increased p53 and p21 expression. On the other hand, p16 was more expressed on FC-skin biopsies in comparison with control and NAM groups. In addition, we found reduced CK10 and increased CK14 expression on FC-skin, trends reverted by NAM. Finally, we found higher level of IL-6 and reduced level of IL-10 on FC-skin compared with control and NAM samples. Overall, our results suggest that epidermis from cutaneous FC present cell cycle alteration, poor differentiation and activation of inflammation. However, treatment with NAM seemed to improve FC condition.

ESDR472 - Nicotinamide improves cutaneous field cancerization on an ex-vivo study.

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.