Few X-ray and PUVA treatments accelerate photocarcinogenesis in hairless mice

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

PUVA is a treatment that combines oral methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) with ultraviolet radiation A (UVA). It is used for severe psoriasis and the early stages of T-cell lymphoma. X-rays are an effective treatment for skin cancers. Both treatments are in higher doses used to treat skin malignancies and simultaneously increase the risk of keratinocyte cancer. The main objective of this study was to test whether a few PUVA or X-ray treatments could delay the development of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced skin tumors in a well-established hairless mouse model. Three groups of immunocompetent mice (total, N = 75) were included in the study. All groups were UVR-exposed during the study period. In addition, one group was treated with PUVA and another group was treated with X-rays at days 45, 52, 90 and 97. A control group was treated with UVR only. We recorded when the first, second and third skin tumors were induced in each mouse. Skin tumors developed significantly earlier in both the PUVA and X-ray groups (median, 188 days) than in the control mice (median, 215 days; p < 0.001). Therefore, a few X-ray and PUVA treatments both significantly accelerated the development of skin tumors in hairless mice, compared to UVR controls. Neither treatment showed a delay of UVR-induced skin tumors and caution should be exercised before applying these treatments to sun-damaged skin. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Original languageEnglish
JournalPhotochemical and Photobiological Sciences
Volume20
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1299-1307
ISSN1474-905X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The research was supported by Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Kgl. Hofbundtmager Aage Bangs Foundation. C.M.L is supported by an unrestricted grant from the Lundbeck Foundation (R307-2018-3318).

Funding Information:
The authors extend their gratitude to the nurses from the Department of Dermatology D41 for helping with the X-ray treatments and M.Sc. E.E. Jakob Heydenreich for recording the spectrum of the UVA source.?This work was executed as a part of the Danish Research Center for Skin Cancer and the Skin Cancer Innovation Clinical Academic Group (SCIN CAG), Greater Copenhagen Health Science Partners (GCHSP).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Photochemistry Association, European Society for Photobiology.

    Research areas

  • 8-MOP, Hairless mice, Prophylactic treatment, PUVA, Radiation therapy, Skin tumors, Ultraviolet radiation, X-ray

ID: 282087135