Description

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) is a prevalent form of skin cancer. Neurotrophins and their receptors (CD271 and Trk) form a complex network regulating homeostasis of the epidermis, the site of cSCC. In this study, the authors showed that CD271 is upregulated in well-differentiated tumors as compared to the more aggressive moderately or poorly differentiated types of cSCC. CD271 overexpression and activation decrease cSCC cell invasiveness in vitro. Further, they observed a significant inhibition of the metastatic process modulated by CD271 in a newly established zebrafish cSCC model.

What is exciting about this article?

This report presents data supporting the role of the neurotrophin receptor CD271 in preventing the switch between low to high-risk cSCC tumors and suggests that it could be a promising target for future pharmaceutical development.

Grant support

AR041124