Immunogenetics of Sunlight-Induced Skin Cancer

Sunlight and skin cancer

It is well known that chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation present in sunlight is responsible for the induction of most nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in humans. Wavelengths in the UV-B (290–320 nm) region of the solar spectrum are absorbed into the skin, producing erythema, burns,and eventually skin cancer.NMSC is themost common type of human cancer. Recent surveys indicate that arou...

DNA, sunlight and skin cancer

Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor genes in the most common types of skin cancer occur almost exclusively at dipyrimidine sites and are highly characteristic of UVB light. The UVB in sunlight produces cis-syn dimers and (6-4) products at dipyrimidine sites, the latter of which are isomerized by UVA/B light to their Dewar valence isomers. Which of these photoproduct classes is primarily respo...

OSH Answers: Skin Cancer and Sunlight

Sunlight UV-Induced Skin Cancer Relies upon Activation of the p38a Signaling Pathway

The activation of cellular signal transduction pathways by solar ultraviolet (SUV) irradiation plays a vital role in skin tumorigenesis. Although many pathways have been studied using pure ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, the signaling pathways induced by SUV (i.e., sunlight) are not understoodwell enough to permit improvements for prevention, prognosis, and treatment. He...

Sunlight UV-induced skin cancer relies upon activation of the p38α signaling pathway.

The activation of cellular signal transduction pathways by solar ultraviolet (SUV) irradiation plays a vital role in skin tumorigenesis. Although many pathways have been studied using pure ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, the signaling pathways induced by SUV (i.e., sunlight) are not understood well enough to permit improvements for prevention, prognosis, and treatment. H...