The effectiveness of chemopreventive therapies in reducing non-melanoma skin cancer

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) consisting of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is the most common type of skin cancer and has a significant impact on patient quality of life. Effective prevention of NMSC is essential to reduce the incidence of skin cancer. One approach that has been developed is chemopreventive therapy, which uses pharmacological agents to inhibit or delay the development of cancer.

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of various chemopreventive therapies, such as NSAIDs, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), vitamin D3, nicotinamide, and acitretin, in reducing the incidence of NMSC.

Methods: The method used in this study was a systematic literature review with a search for articles in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the keywords "chemopreventive" and "non melanoma skin cancer". The inclusion criteria were that articles had the same objectives and results as the objectives of this study. Five articles that met the inclusion criteria were used in this analysis.

Results: This study showed that NSAIDs, DFMO, vitamin D3, nicotinamide, and acitretin significantly reduced the incidence of NMSC. The use of NSAIDs reduced the risk of BCC, DFMO showed a decrease in the incidence of new NMSC, vitamin D3 reduced BCC recurrence, nicotinamide reduced the incidence of new NMSC, and acitretin was effective in preventing invasive SCC.

Conclusion: Chemopreventive therapy can be an effective strategy in reducing the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Keywords: BCC, Chemopreventive, NMSC, SCC,