Melanoma and other malignant skin cancers in psoriatic patients treated with phototherapy. Role of the p16 protein in psoriasis

Abstract

Recently, the potential risk of malignant skin cancer development in psoriatic patients has been highlighted. It seems that some pathogenetic factors in psoriasis could predispose to a malignant transformation. So far, the relationship between the therapeutic schemes in psoriasis and possible neoplastic transformation has not been clearly explained. The phototherapy is considered a very effective therapeutic method in psoriasis, however, the pathogenesis of some malignancies is associated with the exposure to UV radiation.

One of the defence mechanisms that protect the cells from damaging and mutagenic factors, such as UV radiation, seems to be the p16 protein. Moreover, in recent years, the altered expression of the p16 protein in the diseases not related to malignant transformation, including psoriasis, has been observed. The new hypothesis suggesting a participation of the p16 protein in psoriatic plaque formation has appeared.