DNA repair and nonmelanoma skin cancer in Puerto Rican populations

Background: UV radiation is a risk factor for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The relation between DNA damage and oncogenesis suggests that diminished DNA repair capacity (DRC) is involved in tumorigenesis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a low DRC is a susceptibility factor for the development of NMSC in Puerto Rico. Methods: A case-control retrospective clinical study was done to compare the age-adjusted DRC in participants with and without NMSC. DRC was measured using a host cell reactivation assay with a luciferase reporter gene irradiated with UV light and transfected into human peripheral lymphocytes. An epidemiologic questionnaire was used to solicit risk factors. Results: The mean (+/- 2 SE) DRC of 177 control patients without skin cancer was 8.6% +/- 0.7. Participants (280) with NMSC had a 42% lower DRC (5.0% +/- 0.3). Conclusion: A low DRC is a susceptibility factor for NMSC.