According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that in the world one in three cases of cancer corresponds to skin cancer, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the main risk factor for its development.
Despite being one of the most easily preventable types of cancer, its incidence is increasing due to the less protection offered by the current ozone layer and its symptoms are difficult to detect until a stage is reached. advanced disease.
This is how skin cancer begins
The skin is made up of different cell layers. Cancer begins in the outermost cell layer or epidermis , which in turn is made up of different types of cells: squamous, basal, and melanocytes.
We could say that there are two types of skin cancer: non-melanocytic (squamous or basal cells) and melanocytic cancer (originated from melanocytes). In this sense, sun exposure is associated with the appearance of 65% of melanoma type cancer, and almost 90% of non-melanoma type. Furthermore, it is known that if certain precancerous epidermal lesions are allowed to evolve, they can become clinically invasive lesions with metastatic capacity. Among them, the exaggerated proliferation of keratinocytes of the epidermis (actinic keratosis) and its evolution towards squamous cell carcinoma stand out.
The aging of the skin is also directly related to the effects of UV light, especially type B. Clinically, the aging process is characterized by dryness, pigmentation, wrinkles and erythema. At present, there are several dermatological strategies for the prevention of photo-aging, but they mainly focus on hydrating the skin to compensate for water loss, the use of screen compounds to block radiation penetration , in addition to others. components that can promote the vascularization of the skin or the restructuring of damaged components.
It is important to note that the most recent data point to solar UV radiation as a key factor inducing inflammation; This condition, maintained over time without alarming clinical manifestations, favors the slow appearance of alterations such as keratosis, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and of course cellular aging.
Looking for treatments
Most cancer research focuses on finding curative treatments, however, few studies are oriented to the development of preventive strategies . Chemoprevention is an old concept that involves the use of medications, vitamins, or dietary supplements to reduce the risk of developing a disease. Carcinogenesis of the skin is a slow process that may begin long before the first symptoms appear. This period is very suitable for the establishment of chemopreventive strategies, the prevention of inflammation being an important point of interest.
Natural products of terrestrial origin (plants, fungi and bacteria) have been studied extensively in the development of substances with pharmacological activity. However, the current need to find new therapeutic molecules has led to a large number of studies of compounds from marine organisms , coining the term “natural marine products”. In this sense, the research group in Molecular and Applied Pharmacology (FARMOLAP) of the University of Seville, focuses its research on the study of bio-active molecules isolated from different species of microalgae.
Microalgae are photosynthetic unicellular organisms that we can find in both fresh and salt water. Due to the environment in which they live, they are able to modulate their metabolism to the constantly changing conditions of the environment that surrounds them. To do this, they produce a series of metabolites, among which those of a lipophilic nature, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, glycolipids or carotenoids, among others, stand out.
These compounds have been shown to have great pharmacological potential due to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, or antitumor activities they present. The Farmolap Research group studies different biomolecules (glycolipids and carotenoids), isolated and characterized from microalgae, thanks to the team of organic chemists led by Prof. Eva Zubía in the Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Marine Sciences of the University from Cádiz using different experimental models of skin exposed to UVB light, looking for new compounds capable of protecting it against radiation by a combination of protective properties due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative mechanisms.
Azahara Rodríguez Luna is a researcher in the Molecular and Applied Pharmacology Research Group (FARMOLAP) of the University of Seville. Article written in collaboration with the UCC + i of the University of Seville.
