Pigmented basal cell carcinoma (PBCC) is a type of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most prevalent type of skin cancer, which comprises nearly 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers. Protheragen provides comprehensive solutions for PBCC research from diagnostics development to therapeutic advancement. Our PBCC drug development services incorporate high-throughput screening, gene editing, and 3D organoid models.
Overview of Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma (PBCC)
Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma (PBCC) is a specific subtype of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), which is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin cancers globally. BCCs, in general, are slow-growing, non-melanoma skin cancers that rarely metastasize, yet they pose significant concerns for local recurrence and cosmetic disfigurement. PBCC specifically is characterized by the presence of melanin within the tumor cells, making it visually distinct and often more challenging to differentiate from melanocytic tumors like melanoma. Melanin, produced by melanocytes within the tumor, is responsible for the dark pigmentation seen in PBCC, which can complicate diagnosis and therapeutics. This subtype accounts for a notable percentage of BCCs, especially in populations with fair skin, where it may constitute up to 7% of all BCC cases.
Fig.1 Dermoscopic image of pigmented basal cell carcinoma with blue globules in the left part of the lesion. (Pogorzelska-Antkowiak A.,
et al., 2021)
Diagnostics Development for Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma (PBCC)
Dermoscopy
Dermoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that enhances the visualization of skin lesions. It identifies specific features such as blue globules, gray-blue ovoid nests, and arborizing vessels, which are characteristic of PBCC. This method significantly improves the accuracy of PBCC diagnosis compared to clinical examination alone.
Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM)
RCM provides detailed imaging of skin lesions at the cellular level. It reveals differences between pigmented and non-pigmented BCC at the dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ), aiding in the differential diagnosis of PBCC. This technique is particularly useful in identifying subtle histological features that are not visible to the naked eye.
Hyperspectral Imaging
Hyperspectral imaging is a novel technique that measures the reflectance spectra of skin in vivo. It can differentiate between PBCC and melanoma by identifying unique spectral signatures. This method is highly accurate and can be used as a pre-surgical diagnostic aid to plan surgical excision margins.
New Dermoscopic Criteria
The introduction of "brown homogeneous blotches" (BHB) as a new dermoscopic criterion for PBCC diagnosis has shown high sensitivity and specificity. This criterion helps in identifying PBCC lesions that may be missed by traditional dermoscopic methods.
Therapeutics Development for Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma (PBCC)
PDT is a light-activated therapy that selectively destroys tumor cells using a photosensitizer, light, and molecular oxygen. It induces cancer cell death through direct tumor vascular damage or immune response activation. PDT is particularly effective in treating superficial and nodular BCC subtypes, although its efficacy in PBCC is limited due to melanin's light-absorbing properties.
Topical drugs such as 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) are used in PDT. These drugs are metabolized into protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), which generates ROS upon light activation, leading to tumor cell death. The development of new lipophilic compounds and third-generation photosensitizers aims to enhance the efficacy of PDT in PBCC therapeutics.
Table 1. Therapeutics of pigmented basal cell carcinoma (PBCC).
| Therapeutics |
Drug Name |
Mechanism |
Description |
Stage |
| Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) |
5-ALA (Aminolevulinic Acid), MAL (Methyl Aminolevulinate) |
Light-activated therapy |
PDT utilizes photosensitizers like 5-ALA and MAL that, when exposed to light, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to destroy cancerous cells. |
Approved |
| Pre-PDT Debulking |
Curettage, Laser Ablation, Electro-curettage |
Tumor removal |
Pre-treatment of PBCC lesions with curettage or laser techniques to reduce pigmentation and tumor volume, enhancing PDT efficacy by allowing deeper penetration. |
Early studies |
| Topical Therapy |
Etretinate |
Reduces superficial scaling |
Etretinate, an oral retinoid, is used to decrease superficial scaling in pigmented nodular BCC before PDT, aiding in deeper therapeutic success. |
Early studies |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Protheragen offers a wide range of services for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma (PBCC). Our services include advanced imaging techniques such as dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and hyperspectral imaging, which enhance the accuracy of PBCC detection. We also provide comprehensive therapeutic development services, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
Disease Models
- Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation-Induced Mouse Models
- K14-Shh Transgenic Mouse Models
- K5-SMO-M2 Transgenic Mouse Models
- PTCH1 Knockout Mouse Models
- Patient-Derived Tumor Xenograft (PDX) Models
Protheragen's preclinical research services are designed to accelerate the development of effective diagnostics and therapeutics, ensuring that our clients receive robust data to support their development efforts. Our customized approach ensures that our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, resulting in high-quality, effective solutions for PBCC diagnostics and therapeutics development. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Pogorzelska-Antkowiak, Anna, et al. "A comparative study of pigmented and non-pigmented basal cell carcinoma in reflectance confocal microscopy." in vivo 35.1 (2021): 423-427.
- Manca, Roberto, et al. "Proposal of a new dermoscopic criterion for pigmented basal cell carcinoma: a multicentre retrospective study." Dermatology Reports 16.1 (2023): 9691.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
