by Roger Mosley
A retrospective cohort study analyzing a large dataset found that atopic dermatitis is associated with a significant increase in the risk of various skin cancer types.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) causes scaly, itchy patches and is relatively benign. Although its pathogenesis is not fully understood, it is known that disruption in skin barrier function plays a vital role in disease development. Those prone to the condition display compromised filaggrin production, a protein that plays an essential role in maintaining skin barrier function.
New studies show that filaggrin is absent in skin cancers like squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). However, the association between skin cancer and AD is unclear due to conflicting reports.
A retrospective cohort study aimed to explore whether AD is associated with greater risk for melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas. The findings of the study were presented at the 2023 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Sound Evidence That AD Is Associated With Increased Skin Cancer Risk
Researchers analyzed the health records of 60 million adult skin cancer patients with or without AD between 2007 to 2021. The study found that those with AD had a higher risk of developing melanoma (relative risk (RR) 1.23; 95% confidence interval (Cl), 1.20-1.26; p<.001), SCC (RR 1.25; 95% Cl, 1.23–1.26; p<.001), and BCC (RR 1.26; 95% Cl, 1.24–1.27; p<.001). These results were adjusted for factors like race, sex, ethnicity, age, UV exposure, and more.
Further, researchers found that there was also an association between AD severity and skin cancer risk. Those with moderate-to-severe AD had a higher risk of developing melanoma (RR 1.11; 95% Cl, 1.05–1.17; p<.001), SCC (RR 1.25; 95% Cl, 1.22–1.28; p<.001), and BCC (RR 1.17; 95% Cl, 1.14–1.20; p<.001), when compared to mild AD patients.
The Bottom Line
The study’s large dataset, long follow-up time, and consideration of confounding factors such as age, UV exposure, smoking, etc., provides compelling evidence for an association between AD and increased risk of various skin cancers. Researchers recommend further studies to explore the causes of such a relationship between the two conditions.
Source:
AAD ePosters. (n.d.). https://eposters.aad.org/archives/AM2023/40532
