title: Molecular and cellular biology of basal cell carcinoma.
abstract: The finding of mutations in the PTCH gene in both Gorlin's syndrome and sporadic basal cell carcinomas has significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular defects that lead to the formation of these tumours. Knowledge of the specific molecular and functional changes that have taken place in these tumours will help us devise more defined therapies, as well as give us a better understanding of normal molecular pathways involved in skin development and function. The following is a summary of our current understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of basal cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dicker
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siller
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D000072081:Patched-1 Receptor; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; C000606236:PTCH1 protein, human; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D000072081:Patched-1 Receptor; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D019014:fas Receptor