SHK1_epidermis. SHK1_epidermis

Cancer is thought to arise from an individual cell with an oncogenic mutation, that generates premalignant clones. If such clones persist they may accumulate further genetic damage and undergo malignant transformation. Human epidermis is colonized by clones carrying UV light induced p53 mutations, thought to be the origin of keratinocyte derived cancers. The formation and persistence of these clones was also found in mice, chronically exposed to low dose UV irradiation. However, the mutational signature of UV driven NMSC in mouse and human previously was not compared. We designed a study that used UV light as a carcinogen in nude mice and harvested tumours and neighbouring tissue to validate the mouse model for NMSC studies.