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Study identifies SNP, demographic factors associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer

The BsmI single-nucleotide polymorphism, along with several demographic factors, predicted nonmelanoma skin cancer risk, according to recent findings.

The researchers examined the influence of polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptors ApaI, BsmI, and TaqI on nonmelanoma skin cancer development. The current case-control study included 100 participants who had been diagnosed with and were undergoing treatment for basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, along with 100 controls who were undergoing treatment for a nonskin cancer condition. All individuals in both cohorts self-identified as non-Hispanic white.

Eligible participants were accrued at a single center in the U.S. between Jan. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2014. The investigators gathered information from participants using a questionnaire, including data on skin, hair and eye color, along with history of skin cancer, sun exposure history, tanning ability, and the frequency of severe sunburns over the course of life. DNA samples also were gathered and underwent investigation.

Light skin color was the most important risk factor that predicted nonmelanoma skin cancer (OR = 5.79; 95% CI, 2.79-11.99), followed by participants with a greater frequency of severe sunburns (OR = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.31-5.1), light eye color (OR = 2.47; 95% CI, 1.3-4.67), and less of a capacity to suntan (OR = 2.35; 95% CI, 1.23-4.48), according to the results.

Nonsignificant associations with nonmelanoma skin cancer were reported for participants with a family history of that malignancy (OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 0.9-3.07) and light hair color (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 0.51-2.71).

The BsmI SNP more than doubled the likelihood of nonmelanoma skin cancer risk compared with participants who did not have this SNP (OR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.02-4.08).

“The results of this study are especially useful in the early treatment and prevention of [nonmelanoma skin cancer] with chemopreventive agents (for those with the BsmI SNP),” the researchers concluded. “A screening for the BsmI SNP may emphasize the importance of sun protection and facilitate skin cancer prevention and, therefore, decrease the skin cancer burden.” – by Rob Volansky

Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.