an antibody that protects against inflammation may be involved

AT global scale, one in three cancer diagnosed is skin cancer. Among the risk factors, prolonged exposure to the sun of course, but also chronic inflammation of the skin which allows the growth and survival of cells with cancerous mutations. Today, British researchers have discovered that IgE, an antibody known to defend the skin against environmental damage, may be involved. Their study appeared Tuesday, January 14 in the review eLife. Ultimately, a better understanding of this process could help scientists develop more effective treatments for skin cancer.

Researchers at Imperial College, London, UK, used mice to examine what happened after the application of inflammatory substances to their skin. They then discovered that in animals with cancer mutations, the chronic activation of the IgE antibody caused by inflammation promotes the growth of precancerous skin cells into tumors. In contrast, mice lacking IgE were protected against the development of these tumors.

This antibody is known for its involuntary involvement in allergic reactions. It is also found in healthy skin and is believed to protect against harmful substances or parasitic infections. However, this study shows that chronic inflammation can make this useful defense a harmful defense. “IgE strengthens the skin barrier defenses by promoting cell growth to thicken the surface of the skin in response to harmful stimuli (…) However, this response should be temporary. If it persists for the long term, it can lead to the growth of a tumor, ”explains Mark Hayes, researcher in the Department of Immunology and Inflammation at Imperial College London.

“A close link between IgE and cancer”

In the past, the results of another study by the same researchers showed that IgE could protect mice from carcinogens that damage DNA. Thus, the mechanism of tumor growth and the role of IgE in this process may depend on different types of environmental exposure.

“Our previous and current results reveal a close link between IgE and cancer (…) But the biological consequences of the engagement of IgE in the skin clearly depend on the nature of the antibodies and the micro-environment in which the tumor grows Says Jessica Strid, lead author of the study.

Beware of whitish or red plaques and suspicious moles

In France, skin cancer is one of the most common cancers with nearly 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The most common form is carcinoma (basal or squamous cell), which mainly affects people over the age of fifty. It is characterized by whitish or red and rough patches that appear on the skin and are treated fairly well.

The most worrying form of skin cancer is melanoma, which usually develops from a degenerated molebecause there is a risk of metastasis: the disease can spread to other organs. However, the chances of recovery increase with early detection.

Also, if you discover a strange mole on your skin, consult a specialist. While waiting for your appointment, you can always refer to the ABCDE rule (for Asymmetric, Edges, Color, Diameter and Evolution), a self-screening technique developed by specialists. According to the latter, a task or a mole with any of the following characteristics may be suspect: Asymmetry, Irregular edges, Inhomogeneous color, Diameter increasing, or Evolving rapidly.

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