Melanoma
Classification of the Clinical Images for Benign and Malignant Cutaneous Tumors Using a Deep Learning Algorithm
We tested the use of a deep learning algorithm to classify the clinical images of 12 skin diseases—basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, malignant melanoma, melanocytic nevus, lentigo, pyogenic granuloma, hemangioma, dermatofibroma, and wart. The convolutional neural network (Microsoft ResNet-152 model; Microsoft Research Asia, Beijing, China) was fine-tuned with images from the training portion of the Asan dataset, MED-NODE dataset, and atlas site images (19,398 images in total).Incidence, Mortality, and Trends of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in Germany
Increasing incidence rates (IRs) of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in white populations have been described worldwide. Cancer registry data from the Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein federal states were used to analyze incidence and mortality trends in Germany. Age-standardized rates were compared with crude rates to assess disease burden. Joinpoint regression models were used to estimate annual percentage changes and 95% confidence intervals, allowing us to assess temporal trends between 1970 and 2012.Cigarette Smoking and the Risks of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sunlight is the principal environmental risk factor for keratinocyte cancers, but other carcinogens have also been implicated, including tobacco smoke. Findings have been conflicting, however. We investigated associations between cigarette smoking and incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in QSkin, a prospective study of skin cancer (N = 43,794). Smoking history was self-reported at baseline; newly diagnosed BCCs and SCCs were ascertained through data linkage and verified by histopathology reports.Surgery Versus 5% Imiquimod for Nodular and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma: 5-Year Results of the SINS Randomized Controlled Trial
We previously reported modest clinical 3-year benefit for topical imiquimod compared with surgery for superficial or nodular basal cell carcinoma at low-risk sites in our noninferiority randomized controlled SINS trial. Here we report 5-year data. Participants were randomized to imiquimod 5% cream once daily (superficial basal cell carcinoma, 6 weeks; nodular basal cell carcinoma, 12 weeks) or excisional surgery (4-mm margin). The primary outcome was clinical absence of initial failure or signs of recurrence at the 3-year dermatology review.MicroRNA-203 Inversely Correlates with Differentiation Grade, Targets c-MYC, and Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in cSCC
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer mortality among solid organ transplant recipients. MicroRNAs (miR) are short RNAs that regulate gene expression and cellular functions. Here, we show a negative correlation between miR-203 expression and the differentiation grade of cSCC. Functionally, miR-203 suppressed cell proliferation, cell motility, and the angiogenesis-inducing capacity of cSCC cells in vitro and reduced xenograft tumor volume and angiogenesis in vivo.Prevalence of Skin Cancer and Related Skin Tumors in High-Risk Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients in Queensland, Australia
The increased skin cancer incidence in organ transplant recipients is well-known, but the skin cancer burden at any one time is unknown. Our objective was to estimate the period prevalence of untreated skin malignancy and actinic keratoses in high-risk kidney and liver transplant recipients and to assess associated factors. Organ transplant recipients underwent full skin examinations by dermatologically trained physicians. The proportion of examined organ transplant recipients with histopathologically confirmed skin cancer in the 3-month baseline period was estimated.A Model to Predict the Risk of Keratinocyte Carcinomas
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin are the commonest cancers in humans, yet no validated tools exist to estimate future risks of developing keratinocyte carcinomas. To develop a prediction tool, we used baseline data from a prospective cohort study (n = 38,726) in Queensland, Australia, and used data linkage to capture all surgically excised keratinocyte carcinomas arising within the cohort. Predictive factors were identified through stepwise logistic regression models. In secondary analyses, we derived separate models within strata of prior skin cancer history, age, and sex.Identification of Susceptibility Loci for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
We report a genome-wide association study of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma conducted among non-Hispanic white members of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health care system. The study includes a genome-wide screen of 61,457 members (6,891 cases and 54,566 controls) genotyped on the Affymetrix Axiom European array and a replication phase involving an independent set of 6,410 additional members (810 cases and 5,600 controls). Combined analysis of screening and replication phases identified 10 loci containing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with P-values < 5 × 10−8.
