A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has identified a new cause of skin cancer, revealing that a strain of human papillomavirus (HPV) commonly found on the skin can directly drive the growth of certain types of skin cancers. The findings, led by Dr. Andrea Lisco from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), center around a rare genetic condition that weakened the immune system of a 34-year-old woman.
The patient, who had developed over 40 spots of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma across her face, hands, and legs, underwent multiple surgeries and immunotherapy without success. However, when her doctors analyzed her tumors, they found that a group of viruses called beta HPVs were actively driving the cancer’s growth.
Until now, scientists believed that HPV contributed indirectly to skin cancer by making skin cells more vulnerable to damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, this case suggests that HPV can directly cause cancer in individuals with weakened immune systems.
The study’s findings have significant implications for people with weakened immune systems, who are already at a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Experts stress that the risk is not present in healthy individuals and that vaccines currently available do not offer protection against beta HPVs.
To stay safe, experts recommend wearing sunscreen daily, covering up with clothing, hats, and sunglasses when outdoors, getting regular skin checks, especially for those with weakened immune systems or a history of skin cancer.
Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/healthcare-nih-discovers-shocking-new-cause-of-skin-cancer-its-not-the-sun-3932032