What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer refers to uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells of the skin. The main cause of this cancer (more than 90% of cases) is the overexposure to the ultraviolet rays present in sunlight. These abnormal cells have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. There are 3 main types of skin cancer:

1. Basal-cell skin cancer (BCC)

Usually pearly translucent to flesh color. Most commonly present on sun-exposed areas of the skin, especially the face. They rarely metastasize and rarely cause death.

2. Squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC): Commonly present as a red, crusted, or scaly patch

3. Melanoma: Commonly asymmetrical in shape and/or pigment distribution

Decreasing exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the use of sunscreen appear to be effective methods of preventing melanoma and squamous-cell skin cancer. It is not yet clear whether using sunscreen reduces the risk of basal-cell skin cancer. Globally, skin care accounts for at least 40% of cancer cases. The most common type is non-melanoma skin cancer, which occurs in at least 2-3 millions people annually.

Less common skin cancers include dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Merkel cell carcinoma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma. BCC and SCC often carry a UV-signature mutation indicating that these cancers are caused by UVB radiation via direct DNA damage. Malignant Melanoma, however, is mainly caused by UVA radiation via indirect DNA damage.

What are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?

If any of these symptoms occur, it is advisable to contact dermatologists:

• Shiny, pink, translucent bump on the skin
• Changes in the skin that do not heal
• Pink lesions with raised borders
• Ulcering in the skin
• Raised, itchy patch of skin

Other risk factors for skin cancer include: light skin color, age, smoking tobacco, HPV infections and some genetic syndromes including congenital melanocytic nevi syndrome. Ultraviolet irradiation of skin cells causes damage to DNA through photochemical reactions. Frequent DNA damage induced by UV includes cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers formed by adjacent thymine bases.

TXL Phytoceutical Supports Skin Cancer Treatment

TXL Phytoceutical has been used in international market since 1991. After 30 years of experience in supporting cancer patients, today the Research of TXL towards cancer has produced 26 international published peer-reviewed research articles, including 2 clinical researches, one for Breast Cancer in Taiwan National Hospital, and the other one for Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Dharmais Hospital Jakarta Indonesia.

TXL is also recognized in the Drug Dictionary of National Cancer Institute with code name THL-P.

There are 5 main therapeutic functions of TXL verified by its 26 researches:

1. Increase in Quality of Life

Research shows that TXL helps to improve the Quality of Life in cancer patients. Patients who consume TXL experience better physical and cognitive functions, with less fatigue.

2. Immunomodulating Effect

Immunomodulating means the ability to stimulate or regulate immune system which may help the body fight cancer, infection, or other diseases. TXL helps to stimulate Lymphocytes (by elevating CD3, CD4/CD8 and CD19), which are a crucial part of the immune system responsible to fight cancer cells, viruses and bacteria. The T lymphocyte, especially its capacity for antigen-directed cytotoxicity, has become a central focus for engaging the immune system in the fight against cancer. Basic science discoveries elucidating the molecular and cellular biology of the T cell have led to new strategies in this fight, including checkpoint blockade and adoptive cellular therapy.

Aside from T Lymphocytes, other classes of Lymphocytes include Natural Killer Cells, T Helper Cells, and B Cells.

3. Induce Apoptosis

Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death. Today, apoptosis in cancer cells is one of the most studied topics among cell biologists. Both normal cells and cancer cells go through apoptosis. Cancer is one of the scenarios where too little apoptosis occurs, resulting in malignant cells that will not die. Research shows that TXL helps to induce apoptosis in a wide variety of human cancer cell lines without harming normal healthy cells.

4. Inhibition of Metastasis & Angiogenesis

 

Metastasis means the migration or invasion of cancer cells from its’ primary location to another organ. This spreading of cancer is the main cause of death of patients with malignancy. Metastasis of cancer cells involves multiple processes and various cytophysiological changes.

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, plays a crucial role in the growth and metastasis of tumors. Tumor growth and progression require angio-genesis because in its absence tumor growth is restricted to a few millimeters in diameter due to the physical constraint set by simple diffusion of nutrients and oxygen.

Research in vitro shows that TXL helps to inhibit the migration of various cancer cells, decreased the secretion of MMP-2, MMP-9, and uPA and the activity of ERK1/2 in cancer cells, and supress metastasis of cancer cells. Moreover, the research shows that TXL helps to inhibit tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro, decreased the secretion of MMP-2 and uPA in endothelial cells, and suppressed neovascularization of cancer cells. This suppression of tumor growth was associated with decreased microvessel formation and increased apoptosis caused by THL.

5. Induces G2/M Cycle Arrest and Radiosensitivity

Radiosensitivity means the relative susceptibility of cancer cells towards the effect of ionizing radiation. One protein called DNA Methyltransferase (DNMT1) is critical in the activation of cancer. Research shows that TXL diminishes the expression of DNMT1, and therefore sensitizes various types of cancer to radiation.