Abstract
Epidermal keratinocyte-derived cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common metastatic skin cancer with high mortality rates in the advanced stage. Chronic inflammation is a recognized risk factor for cSCC progression and the complement system, as a part of innate immunity, belongs to the microenvironment of tumors. The complement system is a double-edged sword in cancer, since complement activation is involved in anti-tumor cytotoxicity and immune responses, but it also promotes cancer progression directly and indirectly. Recently, the role of several complement components and inhibitors in the regulation of progression of cSCC has been shown. In this review, we will discuss the role of complement system components and inhibitors as biomarkers and potential new targets for therapeutic intervention in cSCC.
Keywords:
complement; skin cancer; squamous cell carcinoma.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / etiology*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / immunology
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
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Complement Activation / drug effects
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Complement Activation / genetics
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Complement Activation / immunology
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Complement System Proteins / immunology*
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Complement System Proteins / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
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Humans
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Keratinocytes / immunology
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Keratinocytes / metabolism
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Keratinocytes / pathology
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Molecular Targeted Therapy
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
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Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
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Skin Neoplasms / etiology*
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Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
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Tumor Microenvironment / genetics
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Tumor Microenvironment / immunology
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Complement System Proteins