Letter

Squamous cell carcinoma and junctional epidermolysis bullosa

La epidermólisis bullosa (EB), enfermedad genética de fragilidad mucocutánea rara y devastadora, es clínica y genéticamente heterogénea. Se caracteriza por la aparición de ampollas inducidas por contacto/fricción o de forma espontánea. La EB se clasifica en 4 tipos: simple, juntural, distrófica y síndrome de Kindler y en 30 subtipos. Esta genodermatosis está causada por defectos en proteínas implicadas en la adhesión dermoepidérmica, con al menos 19 genes caracterizados hasta el momento y más de 1.000 mutaciones identificadas, que explican la complejidad de su diagnóstico. El diagnóstico molecular de la EB es el último paso de un proceso laborioso que se inicia con la recogida de una historia clínica detallada y la toma de una biopsia cutánea, que incluya una zona de despegamiento entre la dermis y la epidermis inducida, en el momento de la recolección. Dicho despegamiento permite establecer el plano de rotura por mapeo antigénico y, en el mejor de los casos, un único gen candidato en el que realizar la búsqueda de las mutaciones patogénicas. Finalizado el diagnóstico molecular, se está en condiciones de ofrecer al paciente un asesoramiento genético adecuado (patrón de herencia, riesgo de recurrencia y opciones de diagnóstico prenatal y preimplantacional) y los consecuentes programas preventivos, así como un pronóstico clínico razonable que facilite su acceso a opciones terapéuticas y de rehabilitación específicas. Por último, el diagnóstico molecular es imprescindible para la participación de los pacientes en ensayos clínicos, de gran importancia en una enfermedad como la EB, que no tiene cura. El objetivo de la presente guía es difundir el procedimiento de diagnóstico de la EB tal y como se está llevando a cabo en nuestro laboratorio y, así, evitar diagnósticos clínicos subóptimos o incompletos. Las recomendaciones recogidas son fruto de nuestra experiencia de más de 10 años de diagnóstico molecular de EB en España.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic disease that causes mucocutaneous fragility. It comprises a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorder characterized by spontaneous or contact/friction–induced blistering. EB is classified into 4 types–simplex, junctional, dystrophic, and Kindler syndrome—and 30 subtypes. The disease is caused by defects in proteins implicated in dermal-epidermal adhesion. At least 19 genes have been characterized and more than 1000 mutations identified, thus rendering diagnosis complex. Molecular diagnosis of EB is the last stage of a laborious process that starts with a detailed clinical history compilation and careful procurement of a skin fresh biopsy that includes an area where the epidermis detaches from the dermis. The detachment area makes it possible to establish the cleavage plane by antigen mapping and, in the best scenario, to identify a single candidate gene to search for pathogenic mutations. The results of the molecular diagnosis enable the physician to provide appropriate genetic counseling (inheritance pattern, risk of recurrence, and options for prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis) and implement subsequent preventive programs, as well as to establish a reasonable clinical prognosis facilitating access to specific therapy and rehabilitation. Lastly, molecular diagnosis is essential for the participation of patients in clinical trials, a critical issue given the current incurable status of EB. The present guidelines aim to disseminate the procedure for diagnosing EB in our laboratory and thus avoid suboptimal or incomplete clinical diagnoses. The recommendations we provide are the result of more than 10 years’ experience in the molecular diagnosis of EB in Spain.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common skin cancers and causes significant morbidity. Although the expression of the epithelial adhesion molecule collagen XVII (ColXVII) has been linked to SCC invasion, only little is known about its mechanistic contribution. Here, we demonstrate that ColXVII expression is essential for SCC cell proliferation and motility. Moreover, it revealed that particularly the post-translational modification of ColXVII by ectodomain shedding is the major driver of SCC progression, because ectodomain-selective immunostaining was mainly localized at the invasive front of human cutaneous SCCs, and exclusive expression of a non-sheddable ColXVII mutant in SCC-25 cells inhibits their matrix-independent growth and invasiveness. This cell surface proteolysis, which is strongly elevated during SCC invasion and metastasis, releases soluble ectodomains and membrane-anchored endodomains. Both released ColXVII domains play distinct roles in tumor progression: the endodomain induces proliferation and survival, whereas the ectodomain accelerates invasiveness. Furthermore, specific blockage of shedding by monoclonal ColXVII antibodies repressed matrix-independent growth and invasion of SCC cells in organotypic co-cultures. Thus, selective inhibition of ColXVII shedding may offer a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent SCC progression.