MMP13 can be a useful differentiating marker between squamous cell carcinoma and benign hyperkeratotic lesions in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

[dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa]

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB ) is a severe hereditary mechanobullous disease resulting from mutations in the COL 7 A 1 , gene coding for type VII collagen . RDEB patients tend to develop squamous cell carcinomas (SCC ) at sites of chronic ulceration or scarring on the whole body . Distinguishing SCC from benign hyperkeratotic lesions is often difficult not only clinically but also histologically in RDEB patients . We investigated several matrix metalloendopeptidase (MMP ) subtypes by comparing the DNA amplification microarray findings between evident SCC and benign hyperkeratotic lesion in the same RDEB patient . We report that MMP 13 was found to be strongly positive in SCC but negative in benign hyperkeratotic lesions . We found that there is an evident difference in the transitional area between SCC and benign hyperkeratotic lesions . We propose that MMP 13 may be a useful differentiating marker between squamous cell carcinoma and benign hyperkeratotic lesions in RDEB . This article is protected by copyright . All rights reserved .