Background: The Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C protein (XPC) is a general sensor of damaged DNA. Individuals carrying a mutation in XPC genes exhibit marked photosensitivity and increased occurrence of skin cancers. Little is known about the distribution of XPC protein in basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Aim: To determine whether the XPC protein is associated with basal cell carcinoma.
Materials and methods: In the present study, we investigated the protein expression of XPC by immunohistochemistry in 86 cases of BCC and paired-adjacent normal epidermis.
Results: The intensity of nuclear XPC expression was significantly higher in BCC compared to adjacent normal epidermis (p<0.001). Attenuated XPC expression was associated with high-risk BCC (p=0.045) but was not significantly associated with age, gender and body area.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that XPC is associated with BCC and further studies are warranted to determine if the XPC-BCC interaction is specific to just one cancer cell type and to investigate potential mechanisms.
Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC); Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C protein (XPC); skin cancer.
Copyright © 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.