Skin cancer's ranks rise - Immunosuppression to blame

A rise in the number of skin cancer patients is not due just to the increase in sun worshipping but due to the increased number of people with impaired immunity due to immunosuppressive drugs following organ transplantation. Immunosuppressive drugs may accelerate the development of skin cancer in transplant recipients by being directly carcinogenic or by creating a state of compromised immune surveillance. The risks and benefits of long-term regimens of immunosuppressive drugs are being assessed. Of the immunosuppressives used following transplantation, sirolimus appears to have the lowest risk factors for the development of skin cancer.