Fractionated Laser Resurfacing on Aged Skin Acts as Prophylaxis Against Actinic Neoplasia

Fractionated laser resurfacing (FLR) shows decreased actinic keratosis (AK) and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) occurrence in patients aged 65 years and older. The results were published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

“We tested how IGF-1 signaling can influence photocarcinogenesis during chronic UVB exposure to determine if [FLR] of aged skin which upregulates dermal IGF-1 levels can prevent the occurrence of [AKs] and NMSC[s],” explained the study authors.

Researchers used a human skin/immunodeficient mouse xenografting model to test the effects of a small molecule inhibitor on chronic UVB radiation before testing the treatment on a cohort of patients aged 65 years or older. In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 48 patients aged 65 years and older with considerable actinic damage were enrolled. The participants underwent a single unilateral FLR treatment of one lower arm.

FLR treatment restored UVB response for at least 2 years. Further, FLR resulted in a sustained reduction in numbers of AKs and NMSC in the treated population.

“The elimination of senescent fibroblasts via FLR reduced the procarcinogenic UVB response of aged skin,” concluded the study authors. “Thus, wounding therapies are potentially effective prophylaxis for managing high-risk populations,” they added.

Reference

Spandau DF, Chen R, Wargo JJ, et al. Randomized controlled trial of fractionated laser resurfacing to aged skin as prophylaxis against actinic neoplasia. J Clin Invest. Published online August 24, 2021. doi:10.1172/JCI150972