How does UV Radiation affect the growth of Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Public project summary

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer worldwide, with increased severity caused by UV radiation (UVR). UVR is a carcinogen that causes basal cell carcinoma by damaging the DNA inside skin cells, leading to the abnormal function of the DNA repair system and altering the immune system, resulting in progressive genetic alterations and the formation of neoplasm. Abnormal hedgehog signaling and blocking this pathway inhibits tumor growth, which promotes BCC in the skin. This process occurs by blocking Smoothened (SMO), a critical transmembrane protein vital to the hedgehog signaling pathway. However, stopping SMO inhibitor treatment often leads to tumor reoccurrence and is more common in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome, a rare autosomal dominant cancer genetic syndrome.