Synergistic damage by UVA radiation and pollutants
Abstract
Not only is skin cancer by far the most common human cancer but also the incidence of skin cancer has been increasing at an alarming rate in recent decades. Fortunately, most people now realize that sun exposure causes unattractive photoaging and skin cancer, so they do apply sunscreens conscientiously. However, until recently, most sunscreens did not adequately protect against ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. Although UVA is indeed less erythrogenic and less carcinogenic than UVB, UVA directly causes photoaging and enhances UVB-induced skin cancer. Furthermore, recent research demonstrates that UVA combined with environmental pollutants (including cigarette smoke) significantly increases the risk of skin cancer. Similarly, previous research demonstrated another synergy between environmental pollutants and UV: When ozone exposure precedes UV exposure, there is enhancement of UV-induced depletion of protective vitamin E from the skin's stratum corneum. This article reviews experimental evidence that environmental pollutants (such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a commonly used index of environmental pollution) are photosensitizers that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to UVA radiation. This in turn causes oxidative and genetic damage, leading to unattractive photodamage and carcinogenesis.
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In mouse skin, UVA exposure significantly increased the toxic impact of B[a]P or cigarette smoke, including the induction of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
“In mouse skin, UVA exposure significantly increased the toxic impact of B[a]P54 or cigarette smoke,55 including the induction of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).55”
From The impact of airborne pollution on skin (2019) · cites this paper as [54]
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- Authors
- Burke, K., & Wei, H.
- Affiliations
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
- Corresponding author
- Burke, KE
- ORCID
- Wei, H
- Venue
- Toxicology and Industrial Health
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 4-5
- Pages
- 219-224
- ISSN
- 0748-2337 (ISSN-L)
- 1477-0393
- OpenAlex
- W2144426362
- Cited by
- 155
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 9.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Toxicology and Industrial Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Keywords
- UVA, skin cancer, environmental pollutants, benzo[a]pyrene, photosensitizers, reactive oxygen species, oxidative DNA damage, synergistic carcinogenesis, photodamage, photoaging, cigarette smoke, ozone, vitamin E depletion, stratum corneum
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Benzo(a)pyrene, Environmental Pollutants, Humans, Ozone, Risk Factors, Skin, Skin Neoplasms, Sunlight, Ultraviolet Rays, Vitamin E, Skin Aging, Reactive Oxygen Species
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