title: Basal cell carcinoma - molecular biology and potential new therapies.
abstract: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin, the most common malignancy in individuals of mixed European descent, is increasing in incidence due to an aging population and sun exposure habits. The realization that aberrant activation of Hedgehog signaling is a pathognomonic feature of BCC development has opened the way for exciting progress toward understanding BCC biology and translation of this knowledge to the clinic. Genetic mouse models closely mimicking human BCCs have provided answers about the tumor cell of origin, and inhibition of Hedgehog signaling is emerging as a potentially useful targeted therapy for patients with advanced or multiple BCCs that have hitherto lacked effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Center for Biosciences and Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.forename: Viljar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jaks
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hohl
authors.forename: Rune
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toftgård
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D053823:Hedgehog Proteins