Immunosuppression, Inflammation, and Skin Cancer: Will Eczema Treatment Enhance Ultraviolet Light-Induced Skin Cancer?
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Date
2006-06
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Eczema, specifically atopic dermatitis (AD), is a common condition characterized
by skin inflammation with erythema and pruritis. Protopic (tacrolimus) and Elidel
(pimecrolimus) are immunosuppressant drugs that have been introduced for the treatment
of AD. Using the Skh-1 mouse model of ultraviolet light B (UVB) induced inflammation,
we examined the effects of local immunosuppression following topical treatment with
Elidel and Protopic on levels of cutaneous ultraviolet light mediated inflammation
including neutrophil infiltration, COX-2 expression and PGE2 production. The goal of
the studies was to determine whether topical treatment with these drugs in combination
with UVB exposure would alter levels of inflammation, a process known to contribute to
an increase in skin tumor development. The results of the current study demonstrate that
the timing and number of topical treatments in relation to UVB exposure changes the
inflammatory response in the skin. Repeated topical application of the
immunosuppressants prior to UVB exposure resulted in changes in products that are
indicators of future tumor development, including edema, neutrophil infiltration and
activation as measured by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The current study
demonstrated that induction of COX-2 expression and PGE2 production is not responsible
for the observed changes in skin inflammation.
Advisor: Tatiana M. Oberyszyn
Description
Keywords
eczema, inflammation, pimecrolimus, tacrolimus