Ultraviolet exposure as the main initiator of p53 mutations in basal cell carcinomas from psoralen and ultraviolet A-treated patients with psoriasis

J Invest Dermatol. 2001 Aug;117(2):365-70. doi: 10.1046/j.0022-202x.2001.01413.x.

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma, the most frequent skin cancer in humans, is often linked to chronic sun exposure. In psoralen and ultraviolet A-treated psoriatic patients, basal cell carcinomas may occur even more frequently; however, the exact etiology and mechanisms of tumorigenesis in psoriatic patients are unclear because psoralen and ultraviolet A is not only a carcinogen but also an immunosuppressor and because psoralen and ultraviolet A-treated psoriatic patients often have other (co)carcinogenic risk factors (e.g, therapeutic exposure to ultraviolet B, X-ray radiation, arsenic, tar, and/or chemotherapeutic agents such as methotrexate). In this study, we analyzed the DNA of 13 basal cell carcinomas from five psoralen and ultraviolet A-treated psoriatic patients for mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. DNA sequencing revealed a total of 11 mis-sense, two non-sense, and four silent mutations in seven of the 13 basal cell carcinomas (54%). Of the 13 total mis-sense or non-sense mutations, 12 (92%) occurred at dipyrimidine sites and nine (69%) were of the ultraviolet fingerprint type (eight C-->T transitions and one CC-->TT transition). Three of the C-->T transitions occurred at dipyrimidine sites opposite a 5'-TpG sequence (a potential psoralen-binding site and target for psoralen and ultraviolet A mutagenesis). Thus, whether these mutations were induced by ultraviolet or psoralen and ultraviolet A was not clear. In addition, two other mutations (15%) occurred at 5'-TpG sites, one (8%) occurred at a 5'-TpA site (the most frequent site of psoralen binding and mutagenesis in cell and murine studies), and one (8%) involved a G-->T transversion. These results suggest that (i) the major initiator of p53 mutations in basal cell carcinoma in psoralen and ultraviolet A-treated psoriasis patients is environmental and/or therapeutic ultraviolet(B) exposure, and that (ii) psoralen and ultraviolet A itself causes only a smaller portion of p53 mutations in psoralen and ultraviolet A-associated basal cell carcinomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / genetics*
  • Female
  • Ficusin / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • PUVA Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / adverse effects
  • Point Mutation / drug effects
  • Point Mutation / radiation effects
  • Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
  • Psoriasis / complications
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Ficusin