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Impact of Common Pharmaceuticals on the Development of cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of non-melanoma skin cancer, with both genetic and non-genetic factors influencing its development. Recent evidence suggests that commonly used medications may impact cSCC progression through previously unidentified mechanisms affecting keratinocyte stem cell differentiation and protein synthesis. This study investigates the effects of several widely prescribed drugs - lovastatin, hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride, amiodarone, and PLX-4032 - on these cellular processes, aiming to improve risk assessment and potentially develop new therapeutic strategies for cSCC. Primary keratinocytes and cSCC cells were treated with various medications (lovastatin, hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride, amiodarone, PLX-4032, and Dabrafenib) and analyzed using RT-qPCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and m7-GTP pull-down assays. These techniques were used to assess changes in mRNA levels, protein abundance, protein synthesis activity, and the availability of translation initiation factors. Common medications (lovastatin, hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride, amiodarone, and PLX-4032) significantly reduce KRT10 mRNA levels in keratinocyte stem cells after 24 hours of calcium-induced differentiation. These medications also decrease Keratin 10 protein abundance in differentiating keratinocytes, suggesting a potential impairment of early differentiation processes. Common medications (lovastatin, hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride, amiodarone, and PLX-4032) significantly reduce KRT10 mRNA levels in keratinocyte stem cells after 24 hours of calcium-induced differentiation. These medications also decrease Keratin 10 protein abundance in differentiating keratinocytes, suggesting a potential impairment of early differentiation processes. Common medications (lovastatin, hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride, amiodarone, and PLX-4032) impair keratinocyte stem cell differentiation by reducing both mRNA and protein levels of early differentiation markers. BRAF kinase inhibitors (PLX-4032 and Dabrafenib) decrease global protein synthesis in keratinocyte stem cells by reducing the availability of translation initiation factors, particularly affecting cells entering early differentiation. These findings suggest that commonly prescribed medications may increase cSCC risk by altering keratinocyte stem cell differentiation and protein synthesis, highlighting the need for careful consideration of these drugs in high-risk patients.