Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in Cutaneous Carcinomas: Evidence Suggesting That Elevated Levels of Prostaglandins in Basal Cell Carcinomas Are Associated With an Aggressive Growth Pattern

• There is evidence suggesting a role of eicosanoids in the growth of certain tumors. In this study, tissue samples were collected from basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin. Both BCCs and SCCs contained more prostaglandin E₂ and F_2α (PGE₂ and PGF_2α) than normal epidermis. In vitro incubation of tumor samples with arachidonic acid also resulted in PGE₂ and PGF_2α formation. Basal cell carcinomas exhibiting a histologically aggressive growth pattern contained higher levels of prostaglandins than those with a nonaggressive growth pattern, both in vivo and after in vitro incubation. Lipoxygenase products (12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) were present in smaller amounts than cyclo-oxygenase products (PGE₂ and PGF_2α) in vivo. Compared with normal epidermis, SCCs and, particularly, BCCs produced smaller amounts of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid during in vitro incubation with arachidonic acid. The levels of lipoxygenase products were not related to the tumor growth pattern. These results indicate that excessive prostaglandin levels in BCCs may be associated with an aggressive growth pattern.

(Arch Dermatol 1986;122:407-412)