Skin Cancer

Non melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the single most frequent cause of cancer is Australia and is highest in Queensland. There are several varieties of NMSC including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BSC) and actinic or solar keratoses (SK). The SKs are believed to be the early stages or precursor of both SCC and BCC.

Most Queenslanders over the age of 40 years have at least one SK and often more. Solar keratoses are skin lesions that are believed to result from high exposure to ultraviolet light, particularly in individuals with fair skin and who are unable to tan. Recent studies performed in our laboratory have identified a gene variation that is involved in SK predisposition. The glutathione-S-transferase genes that are involved in detoxifying products arising from ultraviolet radiation. One glutathione transferase gene, termed GSTM1 has been found to be significantly implicated in SK development.

Our studies also showed that the role GSTM1 was playing in SK development was heightened in conjunction with ultraviolet exposure but was independent of other known risk factors for solar keratosis such as fair skin and inability to tan.

We are continuing studying other genes in involved in skin cancers. Also the expression profiles of up to 20 000 different genes will ultimately be studied for a variety of skin cancers.

Melanie Carless