Host phenotype characteristics and MC1R in relation to early-onset basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidence is increasing, particularly among adults under the age of 40 years. Pigment-related characteristics are associated with BCC in older populations, but epidemiologic studies among younger individuals and analyses of phenotype-genotype interactions are limited. We examined self-reported phenotypes and melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) variants in relation to early-onset BCC. BCC cases (n=377) and controls with benign skin conditions (n=390) under the age of 40 years were identified through Yale's Dermatopathology database. Factors most strongly associated with early-onset BCC were skin reaction to first summer sun for 1 hour (severe sunburn vs. tan odds ratio (OR)=12.27, 95% confidence interval (CI)=4.08-36.94) and skin color (very fair vs. olive OR=11.06, 95% CI=5.90-20.74). Individuals with two or more MC1R non-synonymous variants were 3.59 times (95% CI=2.37-5.43) more likely to have BCC than those without non-synonymous variants. All host characteristics and MC1R were more strongly associated with multiple BCC case status (37% of cases) than a single BCC case status. MC1R, number of moles, skin reaction to first summer sun for 1 hour, and hair and skin color were independently associated with BCC. BCC risk conferred by MC1R tended to be stronger among those with darker pigment phenotypes, traditionally considered to be at low risk of skin cancer

A randomized, multinational, noninferiority, phase III trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BF-200 aminolaevulinic acid gel vs. methyl aminolaevulinate cream in the treatment of nonaggressive basal cell carcinoma with photodynamic therapy

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) represents the most common non-melanoma skin cancer worldwide affecting mainly adult, fair-skinned individuals. The WHO distinguishes aggressive and non-aggressive forms of which prototypical variants of the latter are primary nodular and superficial BCC. Objectives: To demonstrate non-inferiority of BF-200 ALA (a nanoemulsion gel containing 5-aminolaevulinic acid) compared to MAL (a cream containing methyl-aminolevulinate) in the treatment of non-aggressive BCC with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Non-inferiority of the primary efficacy variable (overall patient complete response 12 weeks after last PDT) would be declared if the mean response for BF-200 ALA was no worse than that for MAL, within a statistical margin of Δ = -15%. Patients/Methods: The study was a randomized, phase III trial performed in Germany and the UK with ongoing 5-year follow-up. Of 281 randomized patients, 138 were treated with BF-200 ALA, 143 with MAL. Patients received two PDT sessions one week apart. Remaining lesions 12 weeks after the second PDT were retreated. Illumination was performed with a red light source (635 nm, 37 J/cm2). Results shown include clinical endpoints as well as patients’ reassessment 12 months after the last PDT. Results: Of the BF-200 ALA-treated patients, 93.4% were complete responders compared to 91.8% in the MAL group. The difference of means was 1.6 with a one-sided 97.5% CI of -6.5, establishing non-inferiority (p<0.0001). Results for secondary efficacy parameters were in line with the primary outcome. Recurrence rates 12 months after the last treatment were ≤ 10%. Conclusions: Treatment of non-aggressive BCC with BF-200 ALA-PDT is highly effective and well tolerated with proven non-inferiority to MAL-PDT and demonstrates low recurrence rates after 1-year follow-up

Large Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma Arising in the Scalp

Superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), a rare sub-type of basal cell carcinoma, can frequently occur in younger patients. This cancer type preferentially develops on the trunk. However, other subtypes of BCC can occur in the head and neck, probably secondary to sunlight exposure. Especially, sBCC on the scalp has been rarely-reported, accounting for 0.7~0.8% of all sBCC cases. We report a case of 71-year-old female with a large sBCC of the scalp, an unusual site of sBCC