Biomaterial Database

Genetics of basal cell carcinoma. 2010

Sally E de Zwaan, and Nikolas K Haass

Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human malignancy in populations of European origin, and Australia has the highest incidence of basal cell carcinoma in the world. Great advances in the understanding of the genetics of this cancer have occurred in recent years. Mutations of the patched 1 gene (PTCH1) lead to basal cell carcinoma predisposition in Gorlin syndrome. PTCH1 is part of the hedgehog signalling pathway, and derangements within this pathway are now known to be important in the carcinogenesis of many different cancers including sporadic basal cell carcinoma. The molecular biology of the hedgehog pathway is discussed, and mouse models of basal cell carcinoma based on this pathway are explored. New developments in non-surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma are based on this knowledge. Other genes of importance to basal cell carcinoma development include the tumour suppressor gene P53 and the melanocortin-1 receptor gene. In addition, we discuss molecules of possible importance such as the glutathione-S-transferases, DNA repair genes, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, Brahma and connexins. Evidence of familial aggregation of this cancer is explored and supports the possibility of genetic predisposition to this common malignancy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D011956	Receptors, Cell Surface	Cell surface proteins that bind signalling molecules external to the cell with high affinity and convert this extracellular event into one or more intracellular signals that alter the behavior of the target cell (From Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed, pp693-5). Cell surface receptors, unlike enzymes, do not chemically alter their ligands.	Cell Surface Receptor,Cell Surface Receptors,Hormone Receptors, Cell Surface,Receptors, Endogenous Substances,Cell Surface Hormone Receptors,Endogenous Substances Receptors,Receptor, Cell Surface,Surface Receptor, Cell
D002280	Carcinoma, Basal Cell	A malignant skin neoplasm that seldom metastasizes but has potentialities for local invasion and destruction. Clinically it is divided into types: nodular, cicatricial, morphaic, and erythematoid (pagetoid). They develop on hair-bearing skin, most commonly on sun-exposed areas. Approximately 85% are found on the head and neck area and the remaining 15% on the trunk and limbs. (From DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1471)	Carcinoma, Basal Cell, Pigmented,Epithelioma, Basal Cell,Rodent Ulcer,Ulcer, Rodent,Basal Cell Carcinoma,Basal Cell Carcinomas,Basal Cell Epithelioma,Basal Cell Epitheliomas,Carcinomas, Basal Cell,Epitheliomas, Basal Cell,Rodent Ulcers,Ulcers, Rodent
D004195	Disease Models, Animal	Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases.	Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072079	Patched Receptors	A family of 12-pass transmembrane proteins originally identified in Drosophila that are receptors for HEDGEHOG PROTEINS. They have important roles in regulating CELL PROLIFERATION; CELL DIFFERENTIAION; and BODY PATTERNING and may also function as TUMOR SUPPRESSOR PROTEINS.	Patched Protein,Patched Receptor,Patched Sonic Hedgehog Receptors,Receptor, Patched,Receptors, Patched
D000072081	Patched-1 Receptor	A patched receptor for several HEDGEHOG PROTEINS that associates with the SMOOTHENED RECEPTOR to modulate hedgehog signaling. It is also a TUMOR SUPPRESSOR PROTEIN; mutations in the patched-1 gene are associated with BASAL CELL NEVUS SYNDROME; SQUAMOUS CELL CARCNIOMA of the ESOPHAGUS; trichoepitheliomas, and CARCINOMA, TRANSITIONAL CELL of the URINARY BLADDER.	PTCH1 Protein,Patched Homolog-1,Patched Receptor-1,Patched-1 Protein,Patched 1 Protein,Patched 1 Receptor,Patched Homolog 1,Patched Receptor 1,Receptor, Patched-1,Receptor-1, Patched
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001478	Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome	Hereditary disorder consisting of multiple basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic keratocysts, and multiple skeletal defects, e.g., frontal and temporoparietal bossing, bifurcated and splayed ribs, kyphoscoliosis, fusion of vertebrae, and cervicothoracic spina bifida. Genetic transmission is autosomal dominant.	Gorlin Syndrome,Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome,Nevus Syndrome, Basal Cell,Fifth Phacomatosis,Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome,Multiple Basal Cell Nevi, Odontogenic Keratocysts, and Skeletal Anomalies,NBCCS,Fifth Phacomatoses,Gorlin Goltz Syndrome,Syndrome, Gorlin,Syndrome, Gorlin-Goltz
D012878	Skin Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the SKIN.	Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm