New insights into the clinical efficacy of tazarotene and diclofenac gel for the topical treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma of the skin is the most common malignancy in humans. DNA damage may be induced by solar ultraviolet radiation and defective DNA repair may lead to neoplastic cell clones and skin cancer. Various molecular mechanisms operate with high complexity in the pathogenesis of basal cell carcinoma. We investigated the possible mechanisms of action of tazarotene on basal cell carcinoma regression both in vivo and in vitro and the role of p53 family members in response to this treatment in immortalized keratinocyte cell lines. Furthermore, we took into account the molecular mechanisms of basal cell carcinoma in order to comprehend the possible mechanisms of action of 3% diclofenac in 2,5% hyaluronan gel in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. This thesis provides new insights into the clinical efficacy of tazarotene and 3% diclofenac in 2,5% hyaluronan gel and supports such a new therapeutical approach for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.