title: Phytochemicals for the Prevention of Photocarcinogenesis.
abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) exposure has an array of damaging effects and is the main cause of skin cancer in humans. Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, is the most common type of cancer. Incidence of NMSC has increased due to greater UV radiation, increased life expectancy and other changes in lifestyle; the annual cost of skin cancer treatment in the United States has increased concurrently to around eight billion dollars. Because of these trends, novel approaches to skin cancer prevention have become an important area of research to decrease skin cancer morbidity and defray the costs associated with treatment. Chemoprevention aims to prevent or delay the development of skin cancer through the use of phytochemicals. Use of phytochemicals as chemopreventive agents has gained attention due to their low toxicity and anticarcinogenic properties. Phytochemicals also exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects which support their use as chemopreventive agents, particularly for skin cancer. Preclinical and human studies have shown that phytochemicals decrease UV-induced skin damage and photocarcinogenesis. In this review article, we discuss the selected phytochemicals that may prevent or delay UV-induced carcinogenesis and highlight their potential use for skin protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Mary K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Montes de Oca
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Ross L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Pearlman
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Sarah F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: McClees
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.|Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Farrukh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Afaq
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D004247:DNA