About this Research Topic
Keratinocyte carcinomas are the most common forms of cancer worldwide, and their incidence is showing a rapidly increasing trend in the last years. Numerous endogenous or environmental triggers are involved in the initiation and progression of these malignancies. The predominant risk factor is chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, other factors, such as immune suppression, chronic inflammation, certain viral infections, chemical carcinogens, ionizing radiation, tobacco use, and several medications are also associated with the development of keratinocyte carcinomas. This variety of factors may act alone or correlated to multiple stages of carcinogenesis.
Despite the considerable interest of the scientific community, there are still numerous gaps in understanding the complexity of tumorigenic processes leading to keratinocyte carcinomas. Moreover, they are still associated with significant morbidity and mortality, even if the recent progress in diagnosis and treatment of keratinocyte-derived tumors is substantial. Therefore, we must increase our efforts to a better understanding of factors leading to the initiation and progression of keratinocyte carcinomas, to define new strategies for prevention, to identify new diagnostic, staging, and prognosis methodologies, and to tailor more advanced personalized treatment protocols.
In this Research Topic, we aim to bring together the most recent and relevant scientific research on keratinocyte carcinomas. We invite investigators to contribute original research and review articles describing the recent findings regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in skin carcinogenesis and tumor invasion, genetics of skin carcinogenesis, the role of inflammation, viral triggers, and environmental risk factors in keratinocyte carcinomas. We are also particularly interested in articles focused on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and the shared characteristics and differences with other body locations. Other major potential topics include but are not limited to the new trends in the epidemiology of keratinocyte-derived tumors, improvements in prevention strategies, advances in diagnostic methods with a special focus on new biomarkers and noninvasive imaging techniques, and recent progress in the therapeutic approaches of keratinocyte carcinomas.
Keywords: non-melanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, carcinogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, treatment
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
