Clinically relevant immunosuppressants influence UVB-induced tumor size through effects on inflammation and angiogenesis

Am J Transplant. 2007 Dec;7(12):2693-703. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2007.02004.x. Epub 2007 Oct 17.

Abstract

Immunosuppressive therapies allow long-term patient and transplant survival, but are associated with increased development of UV-induced skin cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinomas. The mechanisms by which CsA, MMF, tacrolimus (TAC) or sirolimus (SRL), alone or in dual combinations, influence tumor development and progression are not completely understood. In the current study, chronically UV-exposed mice treated with SRL alone or in combination with CsA or TAC developed more tumors than mice treated with vehicle or other immunosuppressants, but the tumors were significantly smaller and less advanced. Mice treated with CsA or TAC developed significantly larger tumors than vehicle-treated mice, and a larger percentage in the CsA group were malignant. The addition of MMF to CsA, but not to TAC, significantly reduced tumor size. Immunosuppressant effects on UVB-induced inflammation and tumor angiogenesis may explain these findings. CsA enhanced both UVB-induced inflammation and tumor blood vessel density, while MMF reduced inflammation. Addition of MMF to CsA reduced tumor size and vascularity. SRL did not affect inflammation, but significantly reduced tumor vascularity. Thus the choice of immunosuppressants has important implications for tumor number, size and progression, likely due to the influence of immunosuppressants on UVB-induced inflammation and angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Blood Vessels / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Hairless
  • Mycophenolic Acid / adverse effects
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Mycophenolic Acid / pharmacology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / pathology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / etiology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology*
  • Sirolimus / adverse effects
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects
  • Tacrolimus / pharmacology
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Sirolimus
  • Tacrolimus