An examination was made on the molecular mechanisms that cause the growths of Seborrheic Keratoses (Sks) may lead to first topical treatment of the said skin condition. Science Daily reports that the study was led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and was then printed online in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
"Our paper is the first to show that Sks are dependent on an enzyme called Akt for survival," Victor Neel, MD, Ph.D., lead author the paper and the MGH director of Dermatologic Surgery, said. "Inhibition of this enzyme in SK cells causes rapid cell death while having no effect on normal skin cells. We are confident that this paper heralds the development of the effects, topical treatment for Sks."
The earlier study by the researchers of the MGH recognized spread expression in Sks growth factor receptors and other genes to be involved in skin cancer development and in skill cell differentiation. "We still don't know why Sks resist malignant transformation but we think studying Sks will help us identify factors that prevent benign lesions from becoming malignant," Neel explained.
Derm Net NZ defines Seborrheic Keratosis as a "warty spot" that is visible during adult life -- probably at the age of 30 and above. It is a common sign of skin aging and is also referred to as a brown wart, SK, Barnacle, liver spots or basal cell papilloma. The size of the warts is about 1 mm in diameter with yellow, dark brown, light brown, black, grey or mixed colours. They are waxy or smooth.
According to a survey, there is about more than 90% of adults with age 60 and above who have Seborrheic Keratoses. Since its precise cause is not yet known, it is anticipated that it may become more numerous. Thus, the most common treatments of Seborrheic Keratoses are Ablative Laser Surgery, Cryotherapy, Electro Cautery, Focal Chemical Peel and Shave Biopsy.
