Nonmelanoma skin cancer after renal transplantation: a single-center experience in 1736 transplantations

Diagnosis and Treatment of Skin Lesions in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Review

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressive therapy is essential for to prevent graft rejection in renal transplant patients; however, it is associated with elevating the risk of several pathologies in these patients particularly infectious and neoplastic conditions. In this study, we explore the diagnosis and treatment of skin lesions in renal transplant patients.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 12 renal transplant recipients referred to plastic and reconstructive surgery with skin lesions from 2000 to 2020 was performed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 12 patients was 49.6 years. Time to plastic surgery after renal transplantation ranged between 1 and 16 years. Nine cases of basal cell carcinoma, 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 case of skin and soft tissue infection of the lower extremity and cutaneous extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type was observed. Flaps, skin grafts, and artificial dermis grafts constitute the main reconstructive methods. There were no postoperative infections or wound dehiscence.

CONCLUSIONS

Cutaneous infections and skin malignancy account for most of the skin lesions developing after renal transplantation. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder warrants equal attention and should not be disregarded. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve prognosis as patients with longer duration of transplant were found to have more aggressive tumors. Plastic and reconstructive surgery offers a safe therapeutic method of treatment in these cases.

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Outcomes in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Solid organ transplant recipients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) have an increased risk of poor outcomes. However, a recent study demonstrated that immunosuppression is not an independent risk factor for these poor outcomes after controlling for primary tumor stage.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether transplant status is an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in CSCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database of CSCCs treated at an academic center over 10 years was used to perform a retrospective cohort study comparing the risk of poor outcomes (local recurrence, regional and distant metastases, and disease-specific death) in solid organ transplant recipients and controls. Subjects were matched on age, tumor stage, sex, tumor site, and time to poor outcome.

RESULTS

There were 316 tumors from 78 transplant patients and 316 tumors from 262 controls. On multivariate analysis, tumor stage and location on the head and neck were predictive of poor outcomes. There was no significant difference in the risk of poor outcomes in the transplant group versus the control group.

CONCLUSION

Transplant status was not an independent risk factor for poor squamous cell carcinoma outcomes after controlling for stage, age, sex, site, and time to poor outcome.

Metastasis of skin squamous cell carcinoma in kidney transplant recipients

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common skin malignancy in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) as a result of immunosuppression. A worldwide increase in kidney transplantation justifies the determination of prognostic biomarkers by collecting detailed patient data on metastasis development. This study aims to characterize the clinical, epidemiological, and histopathological profiles of KTRs who developed metastasis of cSCC. We conducted a retrospective single-center study on 18 KTRs and 21 immunocompetent patients (ICs) with metastatic cSCC, using data from 2004 to 2021. ICs were older (median age 70.5 years) than KTRs (median age: 59.5 years). Both groups were predominantly male with Fitzpatrick skin phototype I/II. The primary tumor appeared around 83.5 months post-transplant, usually in sun-exposed areas (61.1%), though some non-exposed areas in ICs (23.8%) contradicted literature findings. KTRs took longer to develop metastasis (median: 11.0 months) compared to ICs (median: 5.5 months). The mean size of the primary tumor was smaller in KTRs (2.50 cm2) compared to ICs (4.55 cm2). The main lymph node chain affected by metastasis was parotid lymph nodes in KTRs (27.8%) and cervical/axillar lymph nodes in ICs (both 19.0%). Both groups exhibited similar primary tumor grades and metastasis evolution, but KTRs had a higher prevalence of lymphovascular invasion. Metastasis of cSCC was more common in males with low skin phototype, in KTRs, particularly on the head and neck. The study suggests a possible link between lymphovascular invasion and metastasis development in KTRs.

Outcomes of Head and Neck Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer for Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Comparison of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients to Nontransplant Patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with solid organ transplant (SOT) are at increased risk of developing aggressive cutaneous malignancies due to their immunosuppression, particularly cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

PURPOSE

There is limited data regarding SOT patients with locally advanced cSCC requiring radical surgery and microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT). Our objectives were to characterize outcomes in SOT patients and compare them with a non-SOT cohort.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing MVFTT for advanced cSCC of the head and neck between January 2016 and May 2020 at a tertiary referral center. Patients who underwent MVFTT as part of curative intent surgery for advanced cSCC during the study were considered for inclusion. Exclusion criteria included distant metastasis, palliative intent treatment, age less than 18 years, and lip primaries.

PREDICTOR

The predictor variable was SOT status. A cohort of non-SOT patients was matched to the SOT cohort based on age, smoking status, tumor stage, and defect size.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES

The primary reconstructive outcome was the major surgical complications and secondary outcome measures included major medical complications and minor surgical complications. The primary oncologic outcome was overall survival and the secondary outcome was disease-specific survival. The primary predictor was transplant status.

COVARIATES

Covariates included patient comorbidities, prior treatment, tumor stage, type of reconstruction, pathologic findings, and adjuvant therapy.

ANALYSIS

Continuous and categorical variables were compared using Student's T test and Fisher's exact test. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival between groups were calculated using the log-rank test. Statistical significance was set a priori at P ≤ .05.

RESULTS

Fourteen SOT and 14 matched non-SOT patients met inclusion criteria. There was not a statistically significant difference in the rate of major surgical complications (7 vs 7%, P = .74) between the SOT and non-SOT cohorts. Rates of minor (21 vs 43%, P = .26) wound complications and medical complications (0 vs 14%, P = .24) were also similar between the SOT and non-SOT cohorts. Locoregional recurrences and distant metastasis were more common for SOT patients, though this was not statistically significant. Overall survival was significantly worse for SOT patients (21.7 vs 31.0 months, P = .04), though there was not a significant difference in disease-free survival (9.8 vs 31.0 months, P = .17).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

MVFTT in the management of SOT patients with locally advanced head and neck cSCC demonstrates similar complication rates with non-SOT patients. While survival and oncologic outcomes are worse in the SOT cohort, aggressive surgical intervention with MVFTT can be performed with comparable complication rates to patients without a history of SOT.

The Role of Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy in the United States. While surgery is considered as the main treatment modality for both cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (cBCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of NMSC, both in the adjuvant setting for cases considered high-risk for recurrence, and in the definitive setting, when surgery is not feasible or desired by the patient. The last years have seen the emergence of immunotherapy treatment for cases of advanced cSCC in the palliative, and possibly neoadjuvant settings, making the treatment paradigm more complex. In this review, we attempt to describe the different radiation modalities available for the treatment of NMSC, the indications for adjuvant post-operative treatment with radiotherapy for cSCC, the role of radiotherapy in elective neck treatment, and the efficacy, safety, and toxicity profile of this treatment in these different settings. Furthermore, we aim to describe the efficacy of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy as a promising horizon for treating advanced cSCC. We also aim to describe the ongoing clinical studies that attempt to examine future directions for the role of radiation treatment in NMSC.

Epidemiology of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Cutaneous invasive squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) most commonly presents as a typically indolent tumour with five-year cure rates of >90%. Advanced cSCC has been defined as locally advanced or metastatic (locoregional or distant) cSCC. The epidemiological data on advanced cSCC are rare due to underreporting or exclusion of cSCC from national cancer registries. Although the frequency of local recurrence has been reported, there is no clear evidence on the incidence or mortality of locally advanced cSCCs, e.g. locally infiltrating or locally recurrent cSCCs that are not further amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy. This gap of knowledge on the epidemiology of locally advanced cSCC, highlights the need for standardisation in defining and reporting both locally advanced and metastatic cSCC. Even though metastatic cSCCs are a small part of cSCCs (3%-5%), their aggressive characteristics contribute to significant morbidity, higher mortality and are those likely to require systemic treatments. Locally recurrent and metastatic cSCC may occur more frequently in high-risk cSCCs (up to 35%). The site of metastasis involves in the vast majority the regional lymph nodes, with the head and neck lymph nodes or parotid most commonly affected. Metastasis occurs mostly within 2-3 years of the primary cSCC diagnosis. The knowledge of the incidence and prognosis of advanced cSCC and the risk stratification of patients, who may progress to advanced cSCC, emerge as pressing research areas with important implications for cost-efficiency planning and optimisation of patient care.

Cutaneous Head and Neck Cancers in the High-Risk Immunosuppressed Population

The immunosuppressed (IS) population encompasses a diverse cohort of patients to include iatrogenically immunocompromised organ transplant recipients as well as patients with chronic lymphoid malignancies, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and autoimmune disorders. Cutaneous cancers in this high-risk patient group are clinically distinct from the general immunocompetent population, showing aggressive behavior with associated poor outcomes. This article reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, incidence, prognosis, and special considerations required in managing cutaneous cancers in the IS patient population.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the organ transplant recipient

One in twenty solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) will develop a highly morbid or fatal cutaneous carcinoma after transplantation. The majority of these cases develop on the head and neck and may require intervention on the part of dermatology, dermatologic surgery, otolaryngology, transplant medicine, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. In this review, we discuss the problem of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in SOTRs as well as the prognostic factors and management strategies to care for this population.

Association of Disease Recurrence With Survival Outcomes in Patients With Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Treated With Multimodality Therapy

Importance

It has previously been demonstrated that immunosuppressed patients with cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (cSCC-HN) treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy have significantly inferior disease-related outcomes compared with immunocompetent patients, but data on outcomes after disease recurrence are limited.

Objectives

To report survival outcomes in patients with cSCC-HN after disease recurrence after surgery and postoperative radiotherapy and to investigate the association of immune status with disease-related outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A multi-institutional study of 205 patients treated at the Cleveland Clinic, Washington University in St Louis, and the University of California, San Francisco, in which patients who underwent surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy for primary or recurrent stage I to IV (nonmetastatic) cSCC-HN between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2014, were identified. Patients with any disease recurrence, defined as local, regional, and/or distant failure, were included. Patients were categorized as immunosuppressed if they received a diagnosis of chronic hematologic malignant neoplasm or HIV or AIDS, or were treated with immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplantation 6 months or more before diagnosis. Statistical analysis was conducted from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2015.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Overall survival calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.

Results

Of the 205 patients in the original cohort, 72 patients (63 men and 9 women; median age, 71 years [range, 43-91 years]) developed disease recurrence after surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Forty patients (55.6%) were immunosuppressed, and 32 patients (44.4%) were immunocompetent. Locoregional recurrence was the most common first pattern of failure for both groups (31 immunosuppressed patients [77.5%]; 21 immunocompetent patients [65.6%]). After any recurrence, 1-year overall survival was 43.2% (95% CI, 30.9%-55.4%), and median survival was 8.4 months. For patients for whom information on salvage treatment was available (n = 45), those not amenable to surgical salvage had significantly poorer median cumulative incidence of survival compared with those who were amenable to surgical salvage (4.7 months; 95% CI, 3.7-7.0 months vs 26.1 months; 95% CI, 6.6 months to not reached; P = .01), regardless of their immune status.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this study suggest that patients with cSCC-HN who experience disease recurrence after definitive treatment with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy have poor survival, irrespective of immune status. Survival rates are low for patients with recurrent disease that is not amenable to surgical salvage. The low rate of successful salvage underscores the importance of intensifying upfront treatment to prevent recurrence.

The Vitamin D Receptor as Tumor Suppressor in Skin

Cutaneous malignancies including melanomas and keratinocyte carcinomas (KC) are the most common types of cancer, occurring at a rate of over one million per year in the United States. KC, which include both basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, are substantially more common than melanomas and form the subject of this chapter. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR), both UVB and UVA, as occurs with sunlight exposure is generally regarded as causal for these malignancies, but UVB is also required for vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Keratinocytes are the major cell in the epidermis. These cells not only produce vitamin D but contain the enzymatic machinery to metabolize vitamin D to its active metabolite, 1,25(OH)₂D, and express the receptor for this metabolite, the vitamin D receptor (VDR). This allows the cell to respond to the 1,25(OH)₂D that it produces. Based on our own data and that reported in the literature, we conclude that vitamin D signaling in the skin suppresses UVR-induced epidermal tumor formation. In this chapter we focus on four mechanisms by which vitamin D signaling suppresses tumor formation. They are inhibition of proliferation/stimulation of differentiation with discussion of the roles of hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, and hyaluronan/CD44 pathways in mediating vitamin D regulation of proliferation/differentiation, regulation of the balance between oncogenic and tumor suppressor long noncoding RNAs, immune regulation, and promotion of DNA damage repair (DDR).

Mortality Associated With Development of Squamous Cell Cancer in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Receiving Treatment With Thiopurines

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Treatment with thiopurines is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SCC) in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We studied outcomes of patients with IBD who developed SCC while receiving thiopurine therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 54,919 patients with IBD followed in the nationwide Veterans Affairs Healthcare System from January 1, 2000, through May 23, 2018. From this cohort, we created a sub-cohort of patients with an incident diagnosis of SCC, confirmed by review of patients' medical records; we identified those who had received treatment with thiopurines (exposed group) vs those treated with mesalamine and no prior exposure to thiopurines or tumor necrosis factor antagonists (unexposed group). The primary outcome was death associated with SCC (SCC mortality). We collected data on baseline demographic features, exposure to ultraviolet light, Charlson comorbidity index, smoking status, and environmental exposures. Follow up began at the time of incident SCC diagnosis and ended at death or last recorded date in the health system. Cause-specific hazard models were used to estimate the adjusted and unadjusted hazard ratio (HRs), with 95% CIs, for SCC mortality.

RESULTS

We identified 467 patients with incident SCC and included 449 patients (161 exposed and 288 unexposed) in our final analysis. Eleven patients from complications of SCC (8 in the exposed group and 3 in the unexposed group). The estimated 5- and 10-year cumulative mortality values were 2.9% and 2.9% in the exposed group and 0.4% and 0.9% in the unexposed group, respectively. The unadjusted and adjusted cause-specific HRs for SCC mortality associated with exposure were 7.0 (95% CI, 1.8-28.0; P = .006) and 8.0 (95% CI, 2.0-32.8; P = .004), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the cause-specific mortality is relatively low, patients with IBD exposed to thiopurines who develop SCC have an increased risk of SCC-associated death compared to patients exposed to only mesalamine.

Radiotherapy in Periocular Cutaneous Malignancies: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Due to the importance of function and cosmetics, periocular skin malignancies represent a therapeutic challenge.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) treating periocular skin tumors.

METHODS

Data of patients with periocular tumors treated with grenz or soft X-rays at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, between 2009 and 2014 were reviewed. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with associated in situ lesions, cutaneous melanoma, lentigo maligna (LM), cutaneous lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

We found 159 periocular lesions in 145 patients. Overall recurrence was highest for actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease (27%), melanoma (17%) and LM (15%), whereas SCC and BCC showed recurrence in 11 and 10%, respectively. 45% of all recurrences occurred within 12 months after treatment, with a median time to recurrence of 13 months (range 3-73).

CONCLUSION

RT, which provides a good therapeutic response with minimal adverse events, is a therapy option for periocular cutaneous malignancies.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail unit

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nail apparatus is a rare malignant tumor that usually originates underneath the nail plate and grows slowly with possible bone invasion. The etiology remains unknown, although a strong association with different conditions, such as high-risk human papillomavirus (HPVs), trauma, or radiation exposure has been demonstrated. Nail SCC is called "the great mimicker nail tumor" because different clinical presentations may coexist, resembling benign or malignant nail lesions. For this reason, there is often a significant delay between the onset of nail SCC and the diagnosis. Clinical manifestation includes onycholysis and erythema, while in the advanced stages nail ulceration can be observed. The association with pain, swelling, and inflammation usually indicates an invasive SCC with involvement of the underlying bone. Metastasis is rare but possible with involvement of lymph nodes. A multidisciplinary approach to assessment, management, and follow-up is advised. Using careful examination and modern diagnostic methods, including onychoscopy, biopsy, and histopathology, will help identify SCC and prevent the invasive progression. X-ray is important to investigate the bone invasion to determine the best surgical approach that will have satisfying cosmetic and functional outcomes. Nevertheless, local excision with sufficient surgical margins, best if using Mohs surgery, is usually sufficient and superior to amputation of the distal phalanx. This review aims to highlight the correct approach in suspected SCC of the nail unit.

High expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma

Ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma (OASC) is an aggressive malignancy that frequently recurs locally and metastasizes. Surgical extirpation may produce significant aesthetic morbidity, and effective systemic therapies for locally advanced or metastatic disease are largely ineffective. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown efficacy in the management of several solid tumors where tumor cell PD-L1 expression correlates with improved response. To determine whether OASC might be amenable to immune checkpoint blockade, we performed comprehensive immune profiling for CD3, CD8, PD-1, FOXP3, and PD-L1 in 24 patients with primary OASC. The composition, distribution and density of the tumor associated immune infiltrate were quantified by automated image analysis and correlated with measures of clinical outcome. Tumor cells in 12 OASCs (50%) expressed PD-L1. Higher densities of CD3+ (p = 0.01), CD8+ (p = 0.006), and PD-1+ (p = 0.024) tumor-associated T cells were associated with higher T category (≥T3a per the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual). Higher tumor cell expression of PD-L1 correlated with higher density of PD-1+ tumor-associated T cells (p = 0.021). Since a CD3+ CD8+ PD-1 + T-cell infiltrate represents a "suppressed T-cell phenotype" apparently permissive toward OASC progression, our findings provide a mechanistic rationale for the effective application of immune checkpoint blockade in OASC to abrogate PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and effectively unleash the immune infiltrate to treat higher-stage tumors.

Incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in renal transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in renal transplant recipients is common and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the incidence of NMSC among renal transplant recipients.

Materials and Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies that assessed the incidence of NMSC in renal transplant recipients using a combination of relevant keywords. Two independent investigators included studies and extracted necessary information. Random effect meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled incidence of NMSC with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twenty-nine studies comprising 36,021 patients meet the criteria for the systematic review. The pooled incidence of NMSC in renal transplant recipients was 12.6% (95% CI: 12%-14%) with a majority of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 55% (95% CI: 47%-63%). The pooled estimate of the incidence rates of SCC and basal cell carcinoma was 2.7% (95% CI: 2%-3.4%) and 2.2% (95% CI: 1.5%-2.8%), respectively. Subgroup analysis per geographic location showed that pooled incidence of NMSC was 39.1% (95% CI: 26.3%-51.8%), 12.4% (95% CI: 8.8%-16%), and 1.2% (95% CI: 0.4%-2%) in Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and Middle East, respectively.

Conclusion

The results of the current meta-analysis demonstrated that the incidence of NMSC in renal transplant recipients varies widely. Regarding the high incidence of NMSC among renal transplant recipients, awareness of associated risk factors and early diagnosis of the malignancy in the population is a major clinical need.

A multi-institutional comparison of outcomes of immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND

Patients who are chronically immunosuppressed have higher rates of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCC-HN). This is the largest multi-institutional study to date investigating the effect of immune status on disease outcomes in patients with cSCC-HN who underwent surgery and received postoperative radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS

Patients from 3 institutions who underwent surgery and also received postoperative RT for primary or recurrent, stage I through IV cSCC-HN between 1995 and 2015 were included in this institutional review board-approved study. Patients categorized as immunosuppressed had chronic hematologic malignancy, human immunodeficiency/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or had received immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplantation ≥6 months before diagnosis. Overall survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, and progression-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional-hazards regression.

RESULTS

Of 205 patients, 138 (67.3%) were immunocompetent, and 67 (32.7%) were immunosuppressed. Locoregional recurrence-free survival (47.3% vs 86.1%; P < .0001) and progression-free survival (38.7% vs 71.6%; P = .002) were significantly lower in immunosuppressed patients at 2 years. The 2-year OS rate in immunosuppressed patients demonstrated a similar trend (60.9% vs 78.1%; P = .135) but did not meet significance. On multivariate analysis, immunosuppressed status (hazard ratio [HR], 3.79; P < .0001), recurrent disease (HR, 2.67; P = .001), poor differentiation (HR, 2.08; P = .006), and perineural invasion (HR, 2.05; P = .009) were significantly associated with locoregional recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunosuppressed patients with cSCC-HN had dramatically lower outcomes compared with immunocompetent patients, despite receiving bimodality therapy. Immune status is a strong prognostic factor that should be accounted for in prognostic systems, treatment algorithms, and clinical trial design. Cancer 2017;123:2054-2060. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Azathioprine and Risk of Skin Cancer in Organ Transplant Recipients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Azathioprine, a purine antimetabolite immunosuppressant, photosensitizes the skin and causes the production of mutagenic reactive oxygen species. It is postulated to increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and other skin cancers in organ transplant recipients (OTRs), but evidence from multiple, largely single-center studies to date has been inconsistent. We aimed to resolve the issue of azathioprine's carcinogenicity by conducting a systematic review of the relevant literature and pooling published risk estimates to evaluate the risks of SCC, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), keratinocyte cancers (KCs) overall and other skin cancers in relation to azathioprine treatment. Twenty-seven studies were included in total, with risk estimates from 13 of these studies able to be pooled for quantitative analysis. The overall summary estimate showed a significantly increased risk of SCC in relation to azathioprine exposure (1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-2.18). No significant associations between azathioprine treatment and BCC (0.96, 95% CI 0.66-1.40) or KC (0.84, 95% CI 0.59-1.21) risk were observed. There was significant heterogeneity between studies for azathioprine risk estimates and the outcomes of SCC, BCC and KC. The pooled findings of available evidence support the contention that treatment with azathioprine increases the risk of SCC in OTRs.

Keratinocyte Carcinoma as a Marker of a High Cancer-Risk Phenotype

Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) (also referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer) is by far the most common form of human cancer. A personal history of KC is well established to be associated with increased risk of recurrent KC and malignant melanoma, a less common yet more fatal form of skin cancer. More surprising is that a substantial body of epidemiologic evidence now indicates that a personal history of KC is significantly associated with an overall elevated risk of noncutaneous malignancies. This association is not limited to one or a few types of cancer but applies across many different types of malignancy. This association has been consistently observed in prospective studies across genders for both major histologic types of KC, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The risk of other cancers has been even stronger in those with younger compared with older age of onset of KC. A robust body of evidence lends support to the notion that KC may be a marker of a high cancer-risk phenotype. The underlying mechanisms for this association remain to be elucidated, but the cross-cutting nature of this association across numerous malignancies suggests that research to uncover these mechanisms is a promising line of inquiry that could potentially yield valuable insight into human carcinogenesis.

Consensus for nonmelanoma skin cancer treatment: basal cell carcinoma, including a cost analysis of treatment methods

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the US population affecting approximately 2.8 million people per year. Basal cell carcinomas are usually slow-growing and rarely metastasize, but they do cause localized tissue destruction, compromised function, and cosmetic disfigurement.

OBJECTIVE

To provide clinicians with guidelines for the management of BCC based on evidence from a comprehensive literature review, and consensus among the authors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive review of the medical literature was conducted to evaluate the optimal treatment methods for cutaneous BCC, taking into consideration cure rates, recurrence rates, aesthetic and functional outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of the procedures.

RESULTS

Surgical approaches provide the best outcomes for BCCs. Mohs micrographic surgery provides the highest cure rates while maximizing tissue preservation, maintenance of function, and cosmesis.

CONCLUSION

Mohs micrographic surgery is an efficient and cost-effective procedure and remains the treatment of choice for high-risk BCCs and for those in cosmetically sensitive locations. Nonsurgical modalities may be used for low-risk BCCs when surgery is contraindicated or impractical, but the cure rates are lower.

Epidemiology and clinical evolution of non-melanoma skin cancer in renal transplant recipients: a single-center experience in São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is very common among renal transplant recipients (RTRs) as a result of the immunosuppressed status of these patients and other factors. Few studies have examined the clinical characteristics and evolution of NMSC in RTRs in tropical countries.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiology and clinical evolution of NMSC in RTRs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study including 68 RTRs with NMSC diagnosed from July 2004 to December 2009 with a minimum follow-up of three years. We analyzed demographic and transplant- and NMSC-related data.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients at the first diagnosis of NMSC was 51 years (range: 29-71 years). Most first diagnoses occurred within nine years post-transplant. The majority of patients (n = 48) had Fitzpatrick skin phototype II, although NMSC was also observed in those with skin phototypes III and IV. Forty-six (67.6%) RTRs had received a kidney from a living donor. Fifty-five (80.9%) RTRs had received cytotoxic immunosuppressives, 51 (75.0%) had received calcineurin inhibitors, and two (2.9%) had received mTOR inhibitors. Most of the RTRs developed about eight NMSC lesions, but up to 25 NMSC lesions were diagnosed in one patient. Most lesions (67.6%) were located on sun-exposed areas. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represented the predominant tumor type, accounting for 70.6% of all tumors, whereas basal cell carcinoma accounted for 29.4% of all tumors. Invasive SCC predominated over in situ SCC. Finally, 48.5% of patients had a previous history of viral warts.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term use of immunosuppressive therapy increases the risk for tumor occurrence. Multiple NMSC tumors can develop in patients in tropical countries, even in patients with a high skin phototype. Therefore, RTRs should understand the high risk for the development of malignant tumors and should be properly informed about the prevention and treatment of NMSC.

Epidemiological profile of nonmelanoma skin cancer in renal transplant recipients: experience of a referral center

BACKGROUND

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans and also the malignant disease that is increasingly common among kidney transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the epidemiological characteristics of renal transplant recipients with nonmelanoma skin cancer seen at a referral transplantation center.

METHODS

Cross-sectional descriptive study with renal transplant recipients presenting nonmelanoma skin cancer, treated at a transplantation referral center between 08/01/2004 and 08/31/2009. Analyzed variables were: gender, age, skin phototype, occupational and recreational sun exposure, use of photoprotection, personal and family history of non-melanoma skin cancer, clinical type and location, time between transplantation and the appearance of the first nonmelanoma skin cancer, occurrence of viral warts, timing of transplantation, type of donor, cause of kidney failure, previous transplants, comorbidities, pre-transplant dialysis, type and duration of dialysis.

RESULTS

64 subjects were included. Males - 71.9%; low skin phototypes (up to Fitzpatrick III) - 89%; mean age - 57.0 years - and mean age at transplant - 47.3 years; sun exposure - 67.2% occupational - and 64.1% recreational; photoprotection - 78.2% (although only 34.4% in a regular manner); squamous cell carcinoma - 67.2%; squamous cell carcinoma/basal cell carcinoma ratio - 2:1; personal history of nonmelanoma skin cancer - 25% - and family history - 10.9%; location at photoexposed area - 98.4%; average latency time between transplantation and first nonmelanoma skin cancer appearance - 78.3 months; viral warts (HPV) after transplant - 53.1%; average timing of transplantation - 115.5 months; living donor - 64.1%; triple regimen (antirejection) - 73.2%; comorbidities - 92.2%; pre-transplant dialysis - 98.4%; hemodialysis - 71.7%; average duration of dialysis - 39.1 months; previous transplants - 3.1%; hypertension as cause of renal failure - 46.9%.

CONCLUSION

This study allowed the epidemiological characterization of a population of kidney transplant recipients with nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Effect of sirolimus on malignancy and survival after kidney transplantation: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data

OBJECTIVE

To examine risk of malignancy and death in patients with kidney transplant who receive the immunosuppressive drug sirolimus.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to March 2013.

ELIGIBILITY

Randomized controlled trials comparing immunosuppressive regimens with and without sirolimus in recipients of kidney or combined pancreatic and renal transplant for which the author was willing to provide individual patient level data. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full text reports of potentially eligible trials to identify studies for inclusion. All eligible trials reported data on malignancy or survival.

RESULTS

The search yielded 2365 unique citations. Patient level data were available from 5876 patients from 21 randomized trials. Sirolimus was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of malignancy (adjusted hazard ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 0.93) and a 56% reduction in the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (0.44, 0.30 to 0.63) compared with controls. The most pronounced effect was seen in patients who converted to sirolimus from an established immunosuppressive regimen, resulting in a reduction in risk of malignancy (0.34, 0.28 to 0.41), non-melanoma skin cancer (0.32, 0.24 to 0.42), and other cancers (0.52, 0.38 to 0.69). Sirolimus was associated with an increased risk of death (1.43, 1.21 to 1.71) compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Sirolimus was associated with a reduction in the risk of malignancy and non-melanoma skin cancer in transplant recipients. The benefit was most pronounced in patients who converted from an established immunosuppressive regimen to sirolimus. Given the risk of mortality, however, the use of this drug does not seem warranted for most patients with kidney transplant. Further research is needed to determine if different populations, such as those at high risk of cancer, might benefit from sirolimus.

Keratoacanthoma accompanied by multiple lung squamous cell carcinomas developing in a renal transplant recipient

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a benign keratinocytic neoplasm that spontaneously regresses after 3–6 months and shares features with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). An increased incidence of both KA and non-melanoma skin tumor, including SCC, is seen among immunosuppressed, organ-transplant recipients. In this report we describe a case of KA accompanied by multiple lung SCCs developing in a renal transplant recipient.

Liver transplantation: immunosuppression and oncology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Long-term survival of liver transplant recipients is threatened by increased rates of de-novo malignancy and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), both events tightly related to immunosuppression.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is accumulating evidence linking increased exposure to immunosuppressants and carcinogenesis, particularly concerning calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), azathioprine and antilymphocyte agents. A recent study including 219 HCC transplanted patients showed that HCC recurrence rates were halved if a minimization of CNIs was applied within the first month after liver transplant. With mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors as approved immunosuppressants for liver transplant patients, pooled data from several retrospective studies have suggested their possible benefit for reducing HCC recurrence.

SUMMARY

Randomized controlled trials with sufficiently long follow-up are needed to evaluate the influence of different immunosuppression protocols in preventing malignancy after LT. Currently, early minimization of CNIs with or without mTOR inhibitors or mycophenolate seems a rational strategy for patients with risk factors for de-novo malignancy or recurrence of HCC after liver transplant. A deeper understanding of the immunological pathways of rejection and cancer would allow for designing more specific and safer drugs, and thus to prevent cancer after liver transplant.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck: surgical treatment

This article focuses on the surgical treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers of the head and neck. The risk factors of nonmelanoma skin cancers for recurrence and metastases that are important for choosing the best treatment option are summarized. Surgical treatment options including surgical excision with standard margins, frozen section, staged surgery, and Mohs micrographic surgery are described. Indications, techniques, outcomes, and advantages and disadvantages of each approach are reviewed. Finally, management of incomplete excisions is discussed.

Management of non-melanoma skin cancer in immunocompromised solid organ transplant recipients

The management of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in solid organ transplant recipients (OTRs) presents a variety of clinical challenges for physicians. OTRs are at a 65-fold increased risk for developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), the most common NMSC that develops after transplantation. Risk factors contributing to the development of NMSCs in OTRs include a past medical history of any previous skin cancer, a personal history of significant sun exposure and a fair skin complexion or phototype. Further, greater immunosuppressive medication levels lead to an increased risk of NMSCs. Among immunosuppressants, specific older agents such as azathioprine and cyclosporine may increase the risk of developing NMSCs in contrast to newer agents such as sirolimus. Early skin biopsy and treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions are essential for treating these patients successfully. In this regard, the concept of field cancerization has been instructive in broadening treatments to include entire affected areas rather than individual lesions given that the areas with significant ultraviolet irradiation will continue to develop numerous individual precancerous and cancerous lesions. Field therapy with photodynamic therapy or topical 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod or diclofenac is often used in OTRs according to individual patient tolerability. Prompt excision or Mohs micrographic surgery is the standard of care of primary, uncomplicated squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. For patients with in-transit or metastatic squamous cell carcinomas, adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy, and staging by sentinel lymph node dissection may be employed. For patients who develop numerous SCC per year, chemoprophylaxis can be effective in limiting the burden of disease. In consultation with the multidisciplinary transplant team, the immunosuppressive regimen can be revised to lower overall immunosuppression or altered to include newer drugs that have decreased oncogenic potential in OTRs. The greatest impact may be made by the prevention of NMSCs through simple, but rigorous, patient education on the benefits of UV protection, periodic self-skin examinations, and regular follow-ups. Accordingly, vitamin D and calcium supplementation should also be incorporated in transplant recipients. Management of OTRs requires patient education, frequent motivation for vigilance, regular follow-up, and interdisciplinary collaboration between transplant surgeons, nephrologists, hepatologists, cardiologists, transplant nurses, dermatologists, oncologists, pharmacists, and other relevant physicians ideally orchestrated by the essential transplant coordinators.

Basosquamous cell carcinoma developing from a renal transplantation recipient

We describe a case of basosquamous cell carcinoma arising from a 52-year-old Japanese renal transplantation recipient (RTR). In the present case, we investigated the immunohistochemical profiles of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, focusing on cytotoxic granules, granulysin-bearing cells and immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells and tumor-associated macrophages. Our present study suggests some of the possible mechanisms for the carcinogenesis of cutaneous malignancy in RTRs.

Autophagy inhibitor chloroquine enhanced the cell death inducing effect of the flavonoid luteolin in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Flavonoids are widely proposed as very interesting compounds with possible chemopreventive and therapeutic capacities.

METHODS & RESULTS

In this study, we showed that in vitro treatment with the flavonoid Luteolin induced caspase-dependent cell death in a model of human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) derived cells, representing a matched pair of primary tumor and its metastasis. Notably, no cytotoxic effects were observed in normal human keratinocytes when treated with similar doses of Luteolin. Luteolin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by inhibition of AKT signaling, and sensitivity decreased with tumor progression, as the primary MET1 SCC cells were considerably more sensitive to Luteolin than the isogenic metastatic MET4 cells. Extensive intracellular vacuolization was observed in Luteolin-treated MET4 cells, which were characterized as acidic lysosomal vacuoles, suggesting the involvement of autophagy. Transmission electron microscopy, mRFP-GFP-LC3 assay and p62 protein degradation, confirmed that Luteolin stimulated the autophagic process in the metastatic MET4 cells. Blocking autophagy using chloroquine magnified Luteolin-induced apoptosis in the metastatic SCC cells.

CONCLUSION

Together, these results suggest that Luteolin has the capacity to induce selectively apoptotic cell death both in primary cutaneous SCC cells and in metastatic SCC cells in combination with chloroquine, an inhibitor of autophagosomal degradation. Hence, Luteolin might be a promising agent for the treatment of cutaneous SCC.