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Introduction

As the largest organ, skin interacts with various environmental factors (1), shields the organisms from radiation, protects it from mechanical pressure and creates one of the main barriers against pathogens (2). Among the main environment aggressors, the UV radiation (UVA and UVB) from the sun induces several biological effects, high DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These alterations can induce inflammation and can further initiate tumorigenesis (3,4). ROS and damaged DNA can activate intracellular protein complexes such as inflammasomes (5). Stimulated keratinocytes, the main skin cellular population, along with melanocytes and resident dendritic cells (DCs) and Langerhans cells (LCs), secrete cytokines with pro-inflammatory action (6), and these molecules modulate innate and adaptive immune responses (7). All the immune-related molecules, cytokines, chemokines and non-immune molecules, such as growth factors have both paracrine and autocrine effects upon the microenvironment and design the local millieu that initiates and then regulates local inflammation or can lose control, consequently favoring the process of tumorigenesis (8). Inflammation has acute and chronic stages, but its link to tumorigenesis is carried out by chronic inflammation. While acute inflammation is governed by T-helper (Th)1-polarized T lymphocytes attracted by innate immune cells, secreting mainly antitumor immune molecules such as interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ, chronic inflammation is controlled by regulatory T cells (Tregs), Th2 cells, that secrete pro-tumorigenic factors [e.g., IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β]. T cell populations that attract and activate B cells thus favor tumorigenesis and anergize cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) (9).

In this chronic inflammatory milieu, cells and molecules interact and pro-tumoral microenvironment is sustained (10,11). In skin, as this organ is subjected to a myriad of environmental factors, this chronic inflammatory condition can trigger various processes underlying tumorigenesis affecting the cell components of its structure. We will focus herein on the inflammatory portrait of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma cancer, as complex molecular networks that can be both triggers of tumorigenesis and therapeutic targets.

Inflammasomes

There are several non-immune cells that participate in the portrait of inflammation. Various agents can activate the main cellular component of the skin, the keratinocytes. Subsequent to stimulation, these cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines (6), regulating both innate and adaptive immunity (7). Keratinocytes, and in addition to these cells and lesser in number, melanocytes and skin resident DCs (LCs), secrete immune-related molecules (e.g., cytokines, and growth factors) that create a local microenvironment depicting inflammation and further tumorigenesis (12). Keratinocytes can play a dual role in T cell activation. Hence, by the secretion of IL-1, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, an upregulation of T cell functions can be achieved. IL-1Rα, IL-10, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10), contra IL-1, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secreted by keratinocytes can downregulate T cell functions. In contast, T cells can produce IFN-α, IL-17 and IL-4 that affect the functions of keratinocytes (13). Fig. 1 shows the keratinocyte-T lymphocyte interaction in the skin, interaction mediated by cytokines and chemokines.

Figure 1. Relation between keratinocytes and T lymphocytes. Keratinocytes secrete upregulatory cytokines and chemokines IL-1, GM-CSF, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18, and downregulatory ones, IL-1Rα, IL-10, α-MSH, CXCL10 and PGE2. T cells produce IFN-α, IL-17 and IL-4 that influence keratinocyte functions. Keratinocyte chemoattractant cytokines influence T-cell trafficking: IL-1, IL-8, CCL27, CCL5, CCL17, CXCL10, MIG, IP9, CCL20.

Another cell that is regarded as a by-stander cell in the skin, the sebocyte, was recently reported as being involved in maintaining the skin's inflammatory milieu. These cells encompass the pilosebaceous unit and secrete skin moisturizing lipids. Yet, they also secrete chemokines and cytokines and act in response to several pro-inflammatory stimuli and bacteria. Recently it was reported that CD4+IL-17+ T cells are in contact with sebocytes in acne lesions. Sebocyte secrete chemokines (e.g., CXCL8) that call upon neutrophils, monocytes and T lymphocytes. Cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TGF-β, IL-1β) secreted by sebocytes induce the differentiation of CD4+CD45RA+ naive T cells into Th17 cells without affecting memory T cells. Practically, Mattii et al presented the first report that proves human sebocytes are actively involved in the skin's inflammatory processes. Furthermore, as the main regulated cell is Th17 and, because it is known that the loss of this regulatory T lymphocyte is linked to chronic inflammation, sebocyte activity can be associated with pro-tumorigenesis processes (14).

UVA and UVB radiation directly affects skin, and this injury leads to DNA damage and ROS production. Furthermore, these elements induce an inflammatory response and, if regulatory mechanisms are surpassed, they can trigger pro-tumorigenesis mechanisms (3,15). Moreover in this process, complex protein platforms designated as inflammasomes are activated (16) and the link between chronic inflammation and distorted inflammasome activity is associated with skin disorders including cancer (8,17). Inflammasomes are complexes formed from a cytoplasmic sensor, an adaptor known as apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and pro-caspase-1 (5) (Fig. 2). Actually inflammasomes are a large family that is characterized by their sensors [e.g., absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), pyrin, NOD-like receptor with pyrin (NLRP)1, NLRP3, NOD-like receptor with caspase recruitment domain (NLRC)4] (18).

Figure 2. Inflammasome basic structure consists of caspase-1, NLRs and ASC. The specific composition of an inflammasome is dependent on the activator, e.g., ATP, ROS, cathepsins, DAMPs, PAMPs, K+ efflux. The main action of the assembled inflammasome is to induce the conversion of pro-IL-1β in IL-1β. NLRs, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors; ASC, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein; ROS, reactive oxygen species.

When UV radiation hits the skin, within sebaceous lipids, squalene is oxidized and initiates inflammatory processes (19) thus acting as inflammasome activating danger signal (20). The most frequent type of inflammasome, NLRP3, is increased in human BCC along with higher IL-1β levels and caspase-1 activation compared to normal skin (21). Pannexin-1 channels involved in keratinocyte differentiation that can induce inflammasome activation (22), were also identified in melanocytes and were found to be upregulated throughout melanoma progression (23). NLRP1 is strongly expressed in human skin as compared to other NLRs (24). At the genetic level, polymorphisms detected in NLRP1/NLRP3 (25) and in inflammasome-related genes [e.g., caspase recruitment domain (CARD)8, IL-1β and IL-18) were found to be associated with skin melanoma, related to both susceptibility and progression (26). The inflammasome involvement was demonstrated to be correlated with melanoma stages. Hence, cells isolated from late stage human melanomas generate spontaneously IL-1β without stimulation, showing auto-inflammatory characteristics, namely gain-of-function mutations in NLRP3. This study has pointed out that, IL-1β constitutive secretion can be clearly linked to the aggressiveness of melanoma (27). The ASC component of the inflammasome is involved in tumorigenesis in metastatic melanomas, while in primary melanoma, it inhibits cancer cell growth (28). Of note, the role of ASC is different in various cells involved in the link between inflammation and tumorigenesis. ASC exhibits a tumor-suppressor function in keratinocytes, while in myeloid cells are pro-tumorigenic (29). Collectively, recent information suggests that among all NLRPs, NLRP1 is the main inflammasome sensor in human skin (24,30). In skin models it was shown that cytokine stimulation using IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-18 induces epidermal hyperplasias (24), an adjacent characteristic of tumor tissue.

Inflammation leading to tumorigenesis

In normal homeostasis of the skin, inflammation is self-limiting, while tumorigenesis has a constitutive activation pathway (31). Long-term accumulation of inflammatory factors in the skin tissue (e.g., cytokines/chemokines) may finally lead to an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors tumorigenesis. Cytokines are produced in the skin by resident cells, namely keratinocytes, LCs, melanocytes, mast cells (MCs) and macrophages, whereas recruited cells, such as neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes add secreted cytokines to the tissue microenvironment (32). Upon cellular activation, cytokines are rapidly secreted acting within the tissue, in both paracrine and autocrine manner. In a prolonged inflammatory status, cytokine synthesis and production are constantly enhanced, the auto-regulatory loop is hindered and acts upon both neighboring cells as well as upon distant cell populations. The action of cytokines is vast as cytokine receptors can be homologous; namely various cytokines lead to multidirectional effects. Moreover, various cytokines can address the same receptor having a synergistic effect on one cell type, while acting antagonistically on another cell type. The cytokine cascade is different for acute and chronic inflammation (Fig. 2) and while one has antitumoral characteristics, the other one sustains tumorigenesis (33), tumor cell migration and cancer metastasis mechanisms (34).

There are various cell populations that intimately interact (epithelial, mesenchymal and immune cells) for the inflammatory process to develop and if chronically induced, further triggers tumorigenesis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process involved in tumorigenesis mechanisms. It is actually a process through which epithelial cells lose cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion, and are able to migrate and invade other tissues becoming mesenchymal stem cells (35). While in physiological wound healing, EMT induction (36) is beneficial, as epidermal keratinocytes acquire migratory phenotypes for wound re-epithelialization (37), in tumors, EMT is uncontrolled and epithelial cells acquire oncogenic mutations (38).

Another cell population that can contribute to the link between inflammation and tumorigenesis in the skin is the fibroblast. During wound healing fibroblasts deposit collagen in excess (fibrosis), fibrotic connective tissue being actually a pro-tumorigenesis microenvironment (39).

All the recent reports state that there is a clear relationship between chronic tissue damage, inflammation and cancer. At chronic inflammation sites, triggered by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, tumors can develop. A hindered regulatory loop for an efficient inflammation process would lead toward tumorigenesis. Once the program for tumorigenesis is installed, continuous inflammation supports metastatic progression (31).

Non-melanoma tumors: squamous cell and basal cell skin carcinomas

Worldwide, NMSC is the most frequent type of skin cancer in Caucasian populations, registering an increased incidence in the last 40 years. This rapid increase is based on UV radiation exposure accounting for 90% of NMSC cases. Although the incidence of other malignancies has stabilized or even declined, the incidence of NMSC has increased constantly with a younger patient age at diagnosis, representing a main public health concern (40).

Although NMSC is not a main life-threatening disease, the direct social costs involved in such a widely spreading disease are high. Studies concerning the early diagnosis along with prevention and therapy are the main domains that are constantly evolving in NMSC. Etiopathogenic mechanisms are intensively studied and, within, a special focus has been given to the mechanisms that link inflammation and skin tumorigenesis. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most frequent NMSC, registering the highest world incidence in Auckland where rates were 425 for SCC and 1,177 for BCC per 100,000 individuals per year (41). Histological and immunohistological evaluation of SCC and BCC has shown that peritumoral inflammatory reaction is diverse in intensity and distribution, proving the complexity of the immune cells and tumor cells. In SCCs, the inflammatory reaction is increased in comparison to BCC. Inflammatory immune cells such as T-lymphocytes, macrophages and MCs are in direct contact with tumor cells, sustaining intercellular interaction mechanisms (42).

In addition to immune cells, pro-inflammatory and tumor-promoting molecules have been reported in BCC and SCC. Recently, high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) have been studied in NMSC. RAGE was reported as being upregulated in SCC along with advanced stage cutaneous melanoma with poor prognosis. In BCC and SCC, extracellular expression of HMGB1 was reported to be released by necrotic tumor cells but further studies are warranted (43).

Other new associated inflammatory proteins are the galectin family involved in various pathologies related to skin through their intracellular and extracellular mechanisms. Skin structural cells such as keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells express galectins. Immune cells resident in the skin, such as DCs, lymphocytes and macrophages express these proteins as well. Non-malignant skin pathologies with high inflammatory background, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis and wound healing are associated with an increased galectin expression. But recently, skin cancers have been demonstrated to express these known inflammatory proteins involved in regulatory mechanisms (44). Patterns of galectin-3 expression in BCC and SCC were evaluated in relation to cellular differentiation. The study revealed that there is a specific pattern where decreased nuclear galectin-3 expression and cytoplasmic immunoreactivity can be factors involved in SCC tumor aggressiveness (45).

Specific inflammatory actors, such as IL-17 and IL-22 were recently studied in SCC and BCC. In both NMSCs, T lymphocytes that secrete IL-17 and IL-22 are abundant. In BCC and SCC cell lines, proliferation and migration abilities were significantly increased by in vitro IL-17 and IL-22. Furthermore, IL-17 alone or combined with TNF-α, induced the synthesis and production of two known pro-tumor cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8. In animal models IL-17 and IL-22 increased tumor growth proving once more that inflammatory cytokines such as IL-22 and IL-17 in NMSC promote a tumorigenesis microenvironment (46).

As skin carcinogenesis induced by UV irradiation is a constant research domain, it was shown that UV activates oncogenes while inactivating tumor-suppressor genes. Inflammatory milieu created by infiltrating immune cells contributes to the chronic inflammation and to the progression of skin tumors (40). In the link between UV irradiation and skin inflammation, a special focus has been developed in the research of vitamin D suggesting that vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms can favor BCC and SCC. During an 11-year follow-up, a recent study has shown that patients with rs2228570, rs927650 and rs1544410 dominance while rs7975232 and rs739837 recessive genotypes were linked to a lower risk to develop BCC. This is one of the few studies that links a genetic VDR specificity to the risk of developing NMSC (47).

In addition to UV irradiation, other factors that induce inflammation and further tumor development have been studied. Hence in a prospective study reported in 2017, QSkin, involving over 40,000 patients, it was shown that for smokers the risk for developing SCC was high without a link with the duration and/or intensity of smoking (48).

In a mouse model of UV carcinogenesis the anti-inflammatory naproxen was tested to evaluate its anti-proliferative action. Naproxen inhibited UVB-induced BCC and SCC reducing both tumor number and volume. The overall anti-proliferative effect was associated with reduced proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 expression and increased apoptosis. All markers that are usually associated with inflammation [e.g., inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor (NF)-κBp65] were decreased. Tumors from treated animals had lower invasiveness with increased E-cadherin expression and reduced expression of EMT markers (e.g., N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail, Twist). In BCC and SCC cells, it was shown that naproxen reduced UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis through reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways (49).

Another molecule involved in inflammation pathways, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), is involved also in photo-immunosuppression and chemically-induced carcinogenesis. During the switch from normal skin to actinic keratosis (AK), TLR4 appears in keratinocytes and it is enhanced once more when the keratinocyte progresses to SCC. In vitro silencing of TLR4 within keratinocytes blocks UV stress. A TLR4 antagonist, resatorvid, blocks several inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB and MAP kinase/AP-1 and hinders cytokine expression, including IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. This effect was reproduced also in animal models (50).

Inflammation in NMSC is a hallmark of tumorigenesis and several deregulated pathway conjoin in initiating neoplastic transformation (51).

Inflammation in SCCs

Keratinocytes are the main cells of the epidermis whose deregulated proliferation could initiate NMSCs. Inflammatory pattern associated with carcinogenesis can furbish new therapeutic targets or new inflammatory markers for diagnosis and prognosis (52,53). Proteome profiling of keratinocytes identified 50 proteins related to this type of cell, some of them associated with the immune system [e.g., α-2 macroglobulin-like protein-1, α-2 macroglobulin-like protein 2 and IFN regulatory factor-6 (IRF-6)], others involved in differentiation (e.g., dermokine and calmodulin like protein 5) and others involved in motility (e.g., integrin β4) (54). However the mentioned proteins are deeply regulated by the inflammatory status, hence when keratinocytes were stimulated with IL-1β, α-2 macroglobulin like protein-1 and integrin β4 were found to be reduced. IL-1β stimulation increased the NF-κB pathway, highly involved in angiogenic and pro-tumorigenic processes. In epidermoid carcinoma cells all of these alterations were also found to support this link between inflammation and carcinogenesis (54).

SCC is the most frequent metastatic NMSC and an inflammation pattern would indicate cancer progression. As stated above, inflammasome proteins are a new expanding research domain. In SCC cell lines upregulation of the AIM2 sensor at both the protein and mRNA levels has been reported. In human SCC samples, tumor-specific expression of AIM2 was noted with low or absent expression in AK and normal skin. Following knockdown of AIM2 in specific tumor cell lines, cellular viability was decreased and apoptosis was increased. Moreover this knockdown decreased the invasive capacity of SCC cell lines associated with the reduction in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP1 and MMP13. In vivo inoculated knockdown xenografts displayed a lower rate of tumor growth and vascularization. These experimental results point toward a component of the inflammasome machinery that can be a future therapeutic target (55). Besides MMP supra-expression (MMP1, MMP3, and MMP-9) in human samples it was reported that keratins 6, 16, and 17 are overexpressed in keratinocytes. When collagen type I synthesis is reduced upon UV irradiation, this triggers the TGF-β pathway, a cytokine highly involved in inflammatory processes (56–58). Related to the activity of MMP proteins, adherence to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is important in the migratory process of tumor cells. A study published in 2018 focused on the aggressive characteristics of SCC and a series of ECM traits. Using proteomic and histologic tests for human primary SCC tumor tissue, three types of samples were analyzed: non-recurring, non-metastasizing, metastasizing SCC and SCC from patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Patients with the RDEB genetic disorder harbor mutations that hinder both the function and the amount of type VII collagen and they have a high risk of developing SCC. The most deregulated samples were proven for RDEB and SCC samples that displayed the highest mutational rates with important inflammation and consequent dermal ECM remodeling as tumor set-off factors. High-risk SCC also may display an enhanced bacterial challenge as inflammatory activating factors. This report discloses ECM remodeling as a clear inflammatory trait related to SCC that sustains the increased risk for a worse prognosis of the disease (59). In an RDEB mouse model it was shown that the persistence of chronic wounds leads to SCC development. These non-healing wounds have high TGF-β1 expression, enhanced fibrogenesis thus creating a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment (60).

As mentioned in the inflammasome section, ASC mediates the secretion of pro-tumorigenic cytokines. ASC expression in human SCC was evaluated in non-metastatic and metastatic SCC. After silencing ASC it was demonstrated that alteration in the activation of innate immune cells can be linked to keratinocyte activity. Restoring ASC induced AIM2 and NLRP3 activation. Thus it was demonstrated that pro-tumorigenic inflammation is actually induced in the tumor cell (61).

NF-κB signaling is extremely important for the maintenance of immune equilibrium in epithelial tissues. In a mouse model with IKK2 deletion in GFAP-expressing cells of the epidermis increased expression of TNF was also found in the SCC-type lesions (62).

In another mouse model, overexpression of MMTV-FLAG-hPAD2 (PAD2OE) also induced SCC-type lesions. Skin tumorigenesis was associated with inflammation in this mouse model. PAD2OE lesions presented with high inflammatory cell infiltrates and increased nuclear phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). This report proves that benign papillomas can be transformed to SCC lesions when inducing an inflammatory microenvironment (63).

In addition to keratinocytes, a report published in 2017 showed that LCs, resident in the epidermis and in the pilosebaceous structure, are involved in maintaining the physiology of the skin. When an injury occurs, LCs process antigens and circulate to the local lymph nodes and activate T cells. Thus, LCs can activate immune effector cells for an anti-tumoral immune response. Moreover LCs cooperate with NK lymphocytes controlling the development of SCC. In contrast LCs can also have pro-tumorigenic activity when involved in the activation of T suppressor lymphocytes, allowing malignant transformation of keratinocytes within SCC (64).

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein (CD109) is expressed by immune cells, such as T lymphocytes, activated T lymphoblasts, or non-immune cells including endothelial cells and activated platelets (65), but it is expressed also by human cancers, predominantly SCC. Sunagawa et al demonstrated that CD109-deficient mice display chronic skin inflammation and epidermal hyperplasia. Recently, they showed that in CD109-deficient mice the dermis had a higher level of TGF-β protein expression. In keratinocytes, SMAD family member 2 (Smad2) phosphorylation and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression were enhanced in primary keratinocytes along with reduced apoptosis and DNA damage and reduced H-ras gene mutation frequency. All these data suggest that CD109 deficiency suppresses skin tumorigenesis by enhancing TGF-β/Smad/Nrf2 pathway activity and decreasing the mutation frequency of the H-ras gene (66).

Mast cells (MCs) have been reported as components of cancer microenvironment in melanoma, BCC, SCC, primary cutaneous lymphomas, haemangiomas and Merkel cell carcinoma. Their role seems to be dual. In several studies they were reported as having pro-tumorigenesis action while in others an anti-tumorigenesis effect. Tumor-associated MCs should be thoroughly investigated in the future for establishing their clear role in skin cancers (67).

As described above, the EMT process can be pro-tumorigenesis, but the occurrence is different in SCC of different origins. SCCs emerging from inter-follicular epidermis (IFE) are well differentiated, while SCC that originates from hair follicle (HF) stem cell-derived frequently exhibit EMT, with an increased metastatic capacity. Therefore, IFE and HF tumor-initiating cells have different gene networks associated with different biological behavior (68). In the stem cell niches, inflammatory factors can drive pro-tumorigenesis processes. IL-27 can have both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties, and using a K15-KRASG12D mouse model IL-27 promoted papilloma incidence. IL-27 induced CD11b cells with endothelin A receptor (ETAR)-positive phenotype. Thus, in SCC patients, Dibra et al showed that IL-27RA-positive cells in the tumor stroma are correlated with tumor de-differentiation (69).

Inflammatory traits in basal cell carcinomas

As approximately 2.8 million new patients are diagnosed with BCC only in the USA each year, it remains a major health issue (70). Several inflammatory-related pathways were found in BCC. Hence, one characteristic of BCC is the continuous activation of the Hedgehog pathway due to mutations in the tumor-suppressor gene patch (Ptch) that induces inactivation or due to mutation in Smoothened that leads to activation. These mutations were considered as good therapeutic target candidates combined with direct anti-inflammatory approaches. There have been clinical trials addressing drugs such as difluoromethylornithine, thymidine dinucleotide, retinoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin D3, and silibinin or even green and black tea components (71).

Another inflammatory-related pathway studied in BCC is the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. This pathway is dependent on IκB kinase α (IKKα), and Jia et al demonstrated that nuclear IKKα binds to the promoters of inflammatory factors. Moreover, it seems that it binds to a stem cell marker, leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), which activates the STAT3 signaling pathway during tumorigenesis. By knockdown of IKKα, tumor growth and the EMT process are inhibited proving that IKKα is an oncogenic transformation factor through stemness and inflammatory related gene activation; thus BCC progression is directly linked to the inflammatory microenvironment (72).

Another factor that promotes stemness in BCC is the transcription factor, SRY-related HMG-box family of transcription factors (Sox9). In a mouse model of BCC it was shown that Sox9 is expressed at tumor initiation and that its expression is Wnt/β-catenin-dependent. In this genetic model, Sox9 deletion and constitutive activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway abolished BCC initiation highlighting Sox9 involvement in stemness, ECM remodeling and de-differentiation within tumor development and metastasis (73).

In another mouse experimental model using SENCAR mice, inflammation was induced by UVB, and skin tumor initiation was studied. It was reported that protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6) expression was increased upon UVB action. In Ptk6+/+ and Ptk6−/− SENCAR mice exposed to UVB it was shown that in wild-type PTK6 (Ptk6+/+) UVB induced increased inflammation and increased PTK6 expression in basal epithelial cells. This action was correlated with higher tumor frequency and tumor load compared to Ptk6−/− mice. In human SCC the activation of PTK6 was also highlighted. It seems that PTK6 contributes to UVB-dependent inflammation further increasing tumorigenesis in skin (74).

In BCC patients there is a constant search of inflammatory-related immune cells that can prognosticate disease evolution and the focus falls on neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. In a recent retrospective study in <550 patients white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophil and monocyte values were found decreased in the BCC group compared to controls. Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios were found to be 3.24 in BCC and 3.59 in SCC, as compared to 5.06 in control group (75).

As NMSC is highly associated with UV excessive irradiation there are intensive studies regarding the association of vitamin D and skin cancer risk. The endocrine system and vitamin D are highly involved in inflammation, cell growth and differentiation (76). Vitamin D acts through binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). In a huge study reported by Lin et al, involving over 17,000 BCC cases compared to over 250,000 controls, 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at new loci were found related to BCC risk. The study pointed out that inherited common variations in VDR are linked to BCC development (77). Another study performed by Kaukinen et al, also in 2017, using an animal skin model, showed that MCs expressing VDR are involved in UV-mediated immunosuppression. VDR enhanced expression of CYP24A1 (a hydroxylase) that inactivates vitamin D3 metabolites. In normal skin, up to 2.9% of the MCs were CYP24A1+, with a high percentage of CYP24A1+ MCs in AK, SCC and BCC. The finding that CYP24A1+ MCs in keratinocyte-derived skin cancers is increased warrants further study (78). Similarly in other organs, increased expression of CYP24A1 in skin could be correlated in murine models with inflammation and progressive fibrosis (79).

The process of tumorigenesis includes several additional processes such as neo-vascularization, tissue invasion, and metastasis. All of these processes rely on tissue remodeling where the urokinase system is highly involved. Rubina et al demonstrated in 2017 that as BCC is associated with keratinocyte hyper-proliferation, inflammatory cell migration, and angiogenesis-processes, increased urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expression was found in the tumor surrounding stroma in BCC. Hence the uPA system is a molecular network that sustains aggressive proliferation and tumor cell invasion (80). Another molecular system that favors inflammation and tissue remodeling upon tumorigenesis are MMPs. Their activation is involved in the degradation of the basement membrane in processes such as inflammation, wound healing, angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. In BCC, MMP1 and MMP9 expression was found to be associated with disease progression. Thus, low levels were detected in AK foci, while intense expression was found in different types of BCC (81).

Several anti-inflammatory compounds support the proof for the link of inflammation with tumorigenesis. Hence, naproxen, a known anti-inflammatory compound, has also anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic action. Chaudhary et al used a mouse model of UVB-induced skin tumorigenesis where naproxen significantly inhibited both BCC and SCC. The inhibition was reflected on the lesion number and volume and the main reduction was for BCC-type tumors. The effects were associated with decreased PCNA and cyclin D1 expression, increased apoptosis and inflammation-related molecules (e.g., iNOS, COX-2 and nuclear NF-κBp65). Even remaining tumors after naproxen therapy displayed a lower aggressive potential, lower EMT marker expression (e.g., N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Twist) and enhanced E-cadherin expression (49).

Imiquimod is a TLR7 agonist, that addresses an inflammatory-derived receptor, and it has been approved for in situ SCC which was recently extended to superficial BCC with positive clinical results. These results show a treatment strategy that reduces inflammation and reduces tumorigenesis (82).

Classic anti-inflammatory compounds, such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been tested in BCC. Collectively, data from 11 clinical studies showed a 10% risk reduction of BCC for patients using NSAIDs while the use of aspirin had a weaker association with the decreased risk. This report highlights that in humans NSAIDs can be used in high-risk populations to reduce BCC initiation (83).

In summary, clinical data related to NMSC show that anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches can reduce significantly UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis.

Inflammatory platform in melanoma: reshaping discoveries

In the cellular flow of transforming a normal melanocyte into a tumor cell there are several stages that occur (Fig. 3). From benign nevi to a full blown tumor cell, genetic instability and a pro-inflammatory milieu can lead to tumorigenesis and metastasis. In the cellular microenvironment, immune cells and immune-related molecules have a definitive role in the inflammatory landscape. Although the typical studied cellular interface in a tumor is between CTLs and cancer cells, currently the contribution of other immune cells is widely recognized. These other immune cells build the complex immune response in cancer involving both tumor promotion and facilitating cancer progression (84). In some unpredictable cases, the clinical evolution of melanoma claim additional prognostic markers to identify early stage and high risk melanoma patients thus aiding in improving clinical surveillance strategies and therapy management (85). One of these additional biomarkers includes inflammatory immune cell infiltrate that depict the local antitumor response or could trigger a pro-tumoral path (86).

Figure 3. Normal melanocytes subjected to various factors that induce genetic instability and inflammatory conditions can undergo malignant transformation to melanoma.

Cellular profiles of the inflammatory setting

The immune inflammatory infiltrate (IF) can be considered as a ‘pro-inflammatory’ phenotype with infiltrating cells and a cytokine pattern depending on immune activation. The existence of IF is generally a good prognostic marker, but the tumor milieu may lack immune cell infiltration as a consequence of immune system ignorance and therefore tumor resistance occurs impairing the favorable immune activation (84). For deciphering the correct role of IF, we must understand its diverse cellular composition comprising lymphoid cells (CTLs, Tregs, Th and B lymphocytes, NK cells) and myeloid cells (DCs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and macrophages). Each cellular type imprints immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive effects within the tumor site. Thus, it becomes essential to also evaluate the functional status of IF within the tumor environment, in an equal measure with its presence or absence (84). Nevertheless, there is a large data panel regarding the prognostic value of IF in cutaneous melanoma but this subject remains controversial due to the heterogeneity of patient groups, study methods and tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) classification systems. To date, no cancer staging algorithms integrate immune markers (85).

Myeloid cells in the tumor infiltrate: Antigen-presenting cells in skin

DCs/LCs

DCs play a critical role residing at the border between innate and adaptive immunity as specialized antigen-presenting cells, being important in tailoring immune reactivity, immune tolerance and activating antitumor immune response (87).

DCs are one of the immune cells relevant for melanoma antitumor immunity, having the potential to work as both targets and delivery agents for immunotherapies. Although recent immunotherapies do not directly involve DCs (e.g., immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive cellular transfer), they rely on DCs ability ‘to shape the quality’ of therapy-associated antitumor immune response. Moreover, tumor-associated DCs are decisive for improving melanoma immunotherapies as they are subjected to several processes specific for melanoma milieu: they are activated by immunogenic cellular death, could be suppressed by melanoma-associated factors, could suffer metabolic constraints or microbiome influences in mediating the anti-melanoma immune responses (88). Specific DCs in the skin immune network are represented by LCs (CD1a+, Langerin+), phenotypically mature, but functionally defective in melanoma-negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) (89). In the last few years, the biology of LCs has considerably changed owing to novel insights in the developmental origin and functions of these epidermis-specific immune cells. LCs also have a significant impact on melanoma pathology by either inducing immune tolerance or mediating inflammatory processes (90). An important inference for the antitumor response is that LCs may activate more efficient naïve CD8+ T lymphocytes than dermal DCs (91).

The active role of LCs should be integrated in implementing or optimizing melanoma therapies. It was observed that LCs are remarkably radio-resistant cells in radiotherapy treated patients, and are highly potent in rapidly repairing DNA lesions through cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN1A) involvement. Such LC resistance has to be taken into account in light of new immunotherapies targeting melanoma, where it is pivotal to understand the immune cell dynamics within the tumor microenvironment (92).

LCs might also play a role in EMT in cutaneous cancers. One of the major regulators for LC activity is TGF-β which also acts as a master controller of EMT processes in skin cancers (93). Another regulator for LCs is bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) responsible for a rested state of LCs in the epidermis. On the other hand, BMP7 induces mesenchymal to epithelial transition, thus acting as a homing signal to epithelia (94). E-cadherin expression loss occurring in EMT allows LCs to migrate out of the epidermis, produces β-catenin stabilization in various skin tumors and confers tolerogenicity of LCs (95). The migration of LCs from the skin to the lymph nodes is mediated through Met signaling, a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed on all DCs (96). In addition, Met signaling intercedes the enzymatic activity of MMP2 and MMP9 that are vital for LCs to break the basement membrane when migrating out of the epidermis (97).

In thin melanomas, the presence of LCs is associated with a better prognosis, by boosting antitumor defense through antigen presentation to T CD8+ lymphocytes (98). Maturation phenotype of DCs can be a prognostic factor in cutaneous melanoma. The density of DCs expressing CD1a and the maturation marker DC-LAMP in primary tumors were analyzed in melanoma cell nest infiltrates and in the surrounding stroma. Thus, infiltration of CD1a+ LAMP+ DCs was inversely correlated with the thickness of melanomas. High peritumoral density of mature CD1a+/DC-LAMP+ DCs combined with high number of CD25+/OX40+ T lymphocytes were associated with extended survival. A ratio of high mature DCs/high OX40+ T cells and Breslow index are reported as independent predictors of good prognosis and indicators of a functional immune response in primary cutaneous melanoma (99).

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Originated from bone marrow, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a subset of immune cells with myeloid origin and immunosuppressive properties, their development being modulated by different tumor-derived soluble factors (100). For example, certain factors released by melanoma cells induce changes in the phenotype of monocytes that are similar to monocytic (Mo)-MDSCs typical in advanced melanoma stages (101). Human MDSC populations can be grouped into Mo-MDSCs (CD11b+CD14+HLA−DR−CD15−) or polymorphonuclear PMN-MDSCs (CD11b+CD14−CD15+) (102). In cancer patients MDSCs are denoted as CD33+HLA−DR− cells but in many studies, isolated MDSCs display several phenotypes in relation to the tumor sites. Thus, the phenotype (CD14+HLA−DR−) was found to prevail in melanoma patients and moreover, in patients receiving ipilimumab there is no particular subset of MDSCs during melanoma progression (103). The MDSC phenotype (CD11b+CD33+CD14+HLA−DR−/low) was reported to be elevated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) population at melanoma onset and remain at comparable levels throughout disease progression (104). High levels of MDSCs were also associated with a lack of T lymphocyte clones specific for melanoma-derived antigens (105), providing a relevant clinical hint for correlation with patient survival. Thus, upon analyzing the CD14+HLA−DR−/low MDSC phenotype in stage II/III melanoma patients, it was found that low levels of these cells are associated with a tendency for an improved disease-free survival (106). In relation with other immune cell populations crucial for antitumor defense, it has been reported that in the cancer milieu, PMN-MDSCs exert suppressive activities on CD8+ T cells leading to a reduced proliferation and inhibition of IFN-γ and IL-2 release by T cells (107). Moreover, in patients with advanced melanoma it was shown that both subsets of MDSCs suppress CD8+ T cell proliferation (108). The MDSC accumulation in various tumors has been associated with higher levels of IL-8 and several cytokines (IL-10, IL-13, IL-6) (104,109). Both monocytic and granulocytic MDSCs express IL-4Rα that are associated with the suppressive activity of Mo-MDSCs in melanoma (110). Anther study focusing on various inflammatory markers suggested that levels of serum IL-1β, IFN-γ and CXCL10 were significantly increased in advanced melanoma and are direct correlated with increased MDSC and Treg populations; moreover, disease progression was associated with an increased serum concentration of IL-1β and CXCL10 (111). All these findings providing a strong foundation in identifying high risk patient groups based on circulatory profile of MDSCs, and developing therapeutic strategies relying on MDSC inhibition or even depletion in melanoma patients.

As in NMSC, in melanoma, inflammasomes have recently been given special attention as being directly linked to IL-1β-mediated tumorigenesis. In >200 melanoma tissue samples, increased expression of NLRP1 was found in the cytoplasm. After knocking down NLRP1 it was shown that several important molecules were downregulated, such as caspase-1 activity, IL-1β production and secretion and nuclear factor-κB activity that pointed out the NLRP1 inflammasomes role in the metastasis process. Therefore, Zhai et al showed that NLRP1 promotes melanoma tumorigenesis by activating inflammasomes and by suppressing apoptotic pathways (112).

Macrophages

Macrophages are myeloid cells (CD68+), with an essential role in inflammation and host defense; these cells are part of the innate immunity through their phagocytic capacity and also join the adaptive immunity by activating other immune cells via cytokine release. Macrophages may act in one of two polarized state, namely classically activated M1 macrophages and alternatively activated M2 macrophages. The M1 phenotype is pro-inflammatory (mostly activated by IFN-γ) while M2 macrophages release anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β) and lean towards an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive profile (113). Their activity in one or the other polarized state in the tumor microenvironment affects melanoma progression and prognosis. Histopathological studies have shown that the macrophage polarization appears to be more connected to the presence of lymphocytic infiltrate than to the thickness of the melanoma lesions (114). A study performed in 94 cases of stages I–IV skin melanoma with a long follow-up duration depicts the correlation between M1/M2 phenotype and disease progression. Thus, by CD68 double immunostaining with MRP8–14 or iNOS (M1 phenotype) and with CD163 or CD204 (M2 phenotype) it was shown that in early melanoma stages, the M1 population was lower than the M2 population with a progressively increase in M2 cells during tumor progression. Thus, M1 cells shift to the M2 phenotype early in melanoma expansion, possibly induced by an intratumoral increase in iNOS. The intratumoral accumulation of both M1 and M2 is associated with poor prognostic indicators and patient survival, favoring neoplastic growth and dissemination (115).

In addition to polarized activation phenotypes, macrophages may be classified via their activation status in relation to the tumor. The inflammatory pattern of melanoma, with important diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarker power, resides in cell clones resembling tumor-associated macrophages. The inflammatory phenotype of macrophages is linked to Melan A expression loss from melanoma cells, a specific melanocyte marker (116). Lack of specific Melan A expression makes melanoma difficult to discriminate from tumors of mesenchymal origin. Morphological changes leading to mesenchymal outline and cellular de-differentiation are correlated with EMT and tumor dissemination. Events that govern EMT are driven by the inflammatory process and CD163+ macrophages which induce E-cadherin and cell-to-cell adhesion loss as the final step of EMT completion. Melan A-negative clones in tumor tissues are correlated significantly with an increased inflammatory response elicited by tumor-infiltrating CD163+ macrophages, the complete loss of E-cadherin expression and a spindle-shaped morphology of tumor cells, altogether as possible markers of poor differentiation and tumor invasiveness (116).

Lymphoid cells in tumor infiltrate T lymphocytes (cytotoxic, regulatory, helper)

In evaluating the circulatory cellular immune pattern for a melanoma patient, a first step to be taken is testing the absolute count of lymphocytes which further provides specific data regarding circulating subpopulations. T lymphocyte subsets represent the most extensively studied immune cell populations in melanoma. These cells are both regulators and effectors of the antitumor immune response, and CD8+ T cells are often associated with a favorable clinical outcome (117). The pool of total CD3+ T lymphocytes is a parameter that will change throughout the patient follow-up only in advanced melanoma therefore calculating the CD4+/CD8+ T cells ratio will indicate the evolution of disease and will prognosticate the patient overall survival (OS) irrespective to melanoma stage and the received therapy. Other circulatory immune cells are found to be increased only in stage III when the CD4+CD69+ phenotype indicates a lymph node-related antitumoral response; there are reports that claim that the proportion of circulating CD3+CD4+CD69+ cells evaluated before therapy administration can be an independent prognostic factor for OS (118). The influence of different phenotypes upon survival could be explained by the abundance of diverse T lymphocyte subsets, especially within CD4+ Th lymphocytes. The different profiles of T cells imprint different clinical responses according to their cytokine repertoire. Thus, cytokines related to the Th1 subset are strongly linked to positive clinical responses while the Treg (CD4+CD25highCD127−Foxp3+) cytokine panel is usually an indicator of a poor prognosis (119,120). In metastatic melanoma a suppression of Th1 growth and a Th2 driven chronic inflammatory state, expressed in an increased Th2/Th1 ratio was reported. Moreover, if the Th1 subtype is dominant in patients with completely resected melanoma, in those with metastatic melanoma Th2 cells are the dominant subset sustained by tumor-derived VEGF. High levels of Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) and chemokines (CCL5, CXCL10) have been detected in plasma of metastatic melanoma patients (121–124).

As for the Treg phenotype, the proportion of peripheral Tregs were found to increase with disease stage but no correlation could be established with metastasis degree (125).

In less than 100 analyzed melanoma patients, it was found that the IF from regressed and non-regressed tumor area has a different distribution of inflammatory cells (126), mainly comprising T lymphocytes (CD3+) (127,128). A significant association between high pT level, CD3+ T cell frequency and ulceration was identified. Non-ulcerated tumors have similar distributions of CD3+ cells irrespective of pT level; ulceration cases present frequent CD3+ cells in association with high pT levels. Considering the overall favorable prognosis associated with active tumor infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) (129,130), the presence of abundant TILs within thick ulcerated tumors represent a normal increasing of the IF as a physiologic reaction to ulceration (126).

T CD8+ cells co-localize with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expressed on the tumor cell surface in a pro-inflammatory setting, and with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a critical immune checkpoint that exhibits an unfavorable prognostic impact in metastatic melanoma. In addition, PD-L1 expression on circulating T cells predicts a worse survival (131,132). By blocking these critical molecules, a significant development in metastatic melanoma treatment has been achieved. Monitoring the efficacy of such an endeavor is based also on evaluating cellular immune population reinforced by the revolutionary therapy. For instance, in advanced melanoma, immunotherapy by pharmacologically blocking cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA)-4 on Tregs, can be monitored by an increase in circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cell lymphocytes (103,133). Immunotherapy endows the effector, killing functions of T cells for the patient benefit. Thus, CD8+ T cells exert tumoricidal functions through the expression of granzyme B, and the activating markers CD25 and OX40, especially if T cells are present in peritumoral areas or primary tumor site when it associates with a better outcome (117).

The antitumoral activity of CD4+ T cells was investigated by analysis of membrane CD134 expression (OX40) and it was found that CD134 expression has been linked to a favorable outcome. Moreover the level of CD134 expression on CD4+ T cells in LNs append to primary melanomas declined with more advanced stage and LN involvement suggesting an immunosuppressive effect from tumor to LN location (134).

B lymphocytes

B cells frequently infiltrate the human tumor milieu and the higher numbers of CD20+ tumor B cells (TAB) are usually associated with a favorable prognosis. In human cutaneous primary melanomas, this interrelation is still controversial. Thus, in a recent study, the authors analyzed the association of TAB numbers and OS assessing CD20 immunohistochemistry on archival non-metastasized and metastasized primary melanoma tissues from 2 independent patient cohorts; survival association was validated with RNA data from a third independent cohort. The results of the study revealed the TAB number as a prognostic biomarker in patients with tumors of >1 mm Breslow depth. Moreover, higher CD20/CD19 tumor mRNA levels were found to be associated with a significantly better OS (135). This report is in line with previous data that sustain the direct relation of infiltrating B cells and better prognosis (136). Another B cell phenotype, namely CD138+ plasmocytes are frequently reported in areas of regressed melanoma but their expression was regardless of regression or ulceration type (126). A subset of B-lymphocytes (B1 cells) with in vivo pro-metastatic properties was also identified and their presence was directly correlated with MCAM melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MUC18) (also known as CD146) expression in melanoma cells. Moreover, MUC18 expression can be therapeutically triggered in human melanoma, hampering the tumor invasion process (137). Reports related to advanced melanoma stages show statistically higher circulating CD19+ B lymphocytes with no increase in plasma level of total or immunoglobulin (Ig) subclasses. There is a negative correlation between the circulating B lymphocyte level and NK cells in melanoma patients (126), launching new insights in analysis of prognostic and predictive significance of lymphoid immune cell interrelation in cutaneous melanoma.

NK cells

NK cells are phenotypically defined as CD3−CD56+ expressing the surface receptor NKp46 (CD335) distinctive for this cell population. In addition, human NK cells are subdivided into CD16+CD56dim (prevailing in blood), and CD16−CD56bright subtypes (138). The role of NK cells in melanoma tumor inflammatory infiltration are currently not fully elucidated, representing an actual research topic (139). Different NK cell phenotypes are involved in organ specific susceptibility to melanoma metastasis. In an experimental murine model it was reported that immature CD27+CD11b− NK cells protect liver from metastasis through a perforin-dependent cytotoxic mechanism against tumor, while at the pulmonary level, mature subsets CD27−CD11b− and CD27−CD11b− are responsible for reducing tumor burden (140). CD56dimCD57+ activated cells exert their functions in spite of Treg cell presence. During melanoma progression, the CD56dimCD57+/CD56brightCD57+ cell ratio increases and could be used as a prognostic marker (141).

The NK cells discriminate between normal and transformed cells sensing the insufficient level of MHC class I molecules expressed on latest ones (142). There is a bidirectional interaction between melanoma cells and NK cells as target recognition by NK depends on the interplay between killer activating (KAR) and killer inhibitory (KIR) receptors expressed on NK cells, and further by signals delivered to the tumor cell. Activated NK cells secrete factors (perforines, granzymes), express death mediating biomolecules (FasL/CD95 and TRAIL) and produce various cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ) that destroy the tumor target and also recruit other immune cells to the tumor site (139,143).

An altered/decreased MHC class I expression on tumor cells is an escape mechanism by which melanomas avoid CD8+ T cell attack but facilitate NK cell-mediated killing. This is the reason why melanoma is considered a model for the study of NK cell-mediated tumor killing (144). Recent studies report that a high percentage of melanoma cells hold ligands for NK activating receptors (e.g., NKG2D and DNAM1), and ligands for natural cytotoxicity receptors such as NKp30 (138). There is a process denominated as ‘melanoma immunoediting’ that leads to tumor escape from NK cell attack by multiple mechanisms such as increased expression of MHC-I, or downregulation of NK ligands especially in metastatic sites; the same inhibitory action upon NK cells is exerted by indole amine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and PGE2 secreted by melanoma cells (145). Melanoma cells regulate NK lymphocytes via different cytokine/chemokine repertoire; thus, it was reported that IL-18 secreted by tumor cells upregulates PD-1 expression on NK cells (146). Also, it seems that melanoma metastatic evolution is associated with an increased frequency of peripheral NK cells expressing receptors for CXCL8, corroborated with CXCL8 released by tumor cells (141,147). Moreover, it has been proposed that anti-IL-18 antibodies in combination with anti-PD-1 mAb (nivolumab) may avoid NK cell inhibition by PD-1 (148).

Recently, it was shown that melanoma-infiltrated lymph nodes contains twice as many NK cells compared with tumor-free nodes, and a population of highly cytotoxic NK cells (CD56dimKIR+CCR7+) with potential prognostic value was identified in melanoma (141).

Existing cancer immunotherapies largely focus on CD8+ T lymphocyte empowering, although NK cells are also cytotoxic and effector cells in antitumor defense. Personalized cancer therapies should integrate both CD8+ T cells in acquired immunity and NK cells in innate immunity as a strong weapon for precision targeting of tumors (149). NK cells are strongly accountable for enlarging the immunotherapeutic arsenal in melanoma. Besides the much studied immune checkpoint blockade of CTLA4, NK cells could be tackled from this point of view as one of the major checkpoints in NK cell activation is mediated by MHC class I specific KIR receptors. Presently, two antibodies directed to NK cell checkpoint blockade are under clinical development for melanoma therapy, namely, lirilumab (anti-KIR in combination with ipilimumab) and IPH2201 (anti-NKG2A) (139).

Some outlines regarding circulatory immune cells in the melanoma inflammatory setting could be drawn and a first conclusion is that there is no perfect match between circulating immune cells and tumor-associated ones, a still non-deciphered inconsistency (98). Furthermore, circulating immune cell-specific phenotypes are finely linked to the diagnosed stage of the melanoma; therefore, a single immune cell population cannot depict accurately the disease evolution. Hence circulatory immune cell subsets, displaying an activated and/or a suppressor phenotype would give the physician a more focused immune status of the patient for future personalized disease management.

Inflammatory-related molecules in melanoma: the pattern of inflammatory molecules in melanoma tissue

There is a clear immune suppressive environment developed at the tumor site where several inflammatory cells and molecules affect tumor development and invasiveness (32). Macrophages secrete IDO, an immunosuppressive enzyme, that induces inhibition of T cell proliferation due to tryptophan depletion and, moreover, IDO recruits more Tregs into the tumor area. As a consequence, TGF-β-secreting Tregs will induce suppression on the effector couple CD4+/CD8+ diminishing the control on tumor development. Tumor cells also secrete TGF-β, IL-10, VEGF and PGE2 that induce DCs to release more TGF-β contributing to the conversion of CD4+ T cells to a Treg phenotype and thus augmenting the cellular immune suppression. By a concerted action, a favorable microenvironment is created resulting in Treg proliferation that hinders the cooperation of CD4+/CD8+ T cells and obliterates the antitumoral activity of cytotoxic cells. In addition, IDO is proposed as a prognostic and follow-up marker in melanoma. Thus, in a recent study IDO, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and S100B levels were measured in 186 serum samples from patients in all melanoma stages, at diagnosis and twice a year afterward. At diagnosis, serum IDO levels were significantly higher in stages IB, II, III and IV, whereas S100B levels were significantly higher in stages III and IV; as expected, LDH levels were higher only in stage IV. In relapsed patients, all three tested markers were found to be significantly increased. Finally, OS was significantly longer in patients with IDO levels below a certain cut-off value at diagnosis (1.65 µM) than in those with higher IDO levels (91.3 vs. 71.0% at 36 months). These data indicate IDO as a potential useful serum prognostic biomarker for melanoma (150).

Circulatory inflammatory marker pattern in melanoma

The immune tolerance could rely on the initiation of the chronic inflammatory phase; thus, tumor cells could avoid the immune system because the pro-inflammatory status is diminished and switched to immunosuppression. This inflammatory status conversion is triggered by a wide variety of mediators. Thus, high levels of circulating biomolecules associated with poor prognosis in melanoma (TNFR2, TGF-α, TIMP1, CRP) were recently identified by multiplex ELISA sandwich and proposed as being part of a valuable formulation for prediction of OS (151,152). Another study performed on stage II and III melanoma patients receiving IFN-α2b treatment point that the combination of serum TNF-α, soluble IL-2 receptor and β2 microglobulin could be robust predictive markers of melanoma relapse in relation to treatment. Increased serum levels of TNF-α seem to have a protective role before and despite high toxicity after IFN-α2b treatment (153) but the prognostic value of TNF-α is still a matter of debate (154). In recent years new insights were gained regarding pro-inflammatory/antitumor vs. anti-inflammatory/protumoral effects of TNF-α. It seems that membrane bound TNF-α, rather than soluble TNF-α, can activate MDSCs as an active part of tumor-related IF; stimulated MDSCs will release a whole cascade of mediators (ARG1, iNOS, NO, ROS, IL-10, TGF-β) that finally leads to a suppressed immune response against tumor (155). In this orchestrated action beside the soluble form of TNF it seems that membrane-bound TNFR2 is also involved (156). Moreover, TNFR2 is also expressed on a subset of Tregs sustaining the anti-inflammatory condition and tumor tolerance (157).

Although groundbreaking progress has been made in the last few years in terms of immunotherapies, the panel of circulatory reliable/validated markers for monitoring melanoma prognosis or staging still remains limited. Thus, LDH is the first serum biomarker included in 2001 by AJCC to be used for staging, prognosis and overall survival evaluation in melanoma stage IV patients (158). Moreover, LDH remains a clinically significant marker associated with response, progression-free survival, melanoma-specific survival (MSS) and OS in the new era of targeted and immunotherapies. At the 8th AJCC edition (2017), between several key changes it was included that an elevated LDH level no longer independently defines M1c disease ‘with or without M1a or M1b sites of disease’ (159). The serum S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) marker is also in process of validation and a recent study on a large cohort of non-resectable stage IV melanoma patients suggest S100B to be a better independent marker than LDH for long-term survival prediction. This could be explained by the non-specificity of the largely expressed LDH marker, released in the systemic circulation in many inflammatory disorders associated with cell lysis, as opposed to the more specific S100B, that is secreted by cells originated from the neural crest, including melanoma cells (160). Other recent data claim that S100B serum levels correlate with tumor load, response to treatment and might identify patients with increased risk of disease relapse; very important, S100B may predict prognosis independent to LDH, and could act as an early biomarker of tumor recurrence (161). S100B was also connected to inflammation as it interacts with the activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and mediates NF-κB signaling (162).

There is a strong correlation between S100B and melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA), a protein secreted by chondrocytes and melanoma cells, association that matches an unfavorable clinical evolution. Significant MIA increases were found to occur as early as stage II, with a better specificity and sensitivity when used together with S100B, correlating with immune parameters and having the potential of being biomarkers for prognosis and therapy monitoring (163). The increased MIA level in patients with poor prognosis could be a potential indicator of a pro-inflammatory status switching to a more anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive phase of the disease (164).

Acute phase reactant proteins (APRPs) are usually produced by hepatocytes upon cytokine stimulation, and in a wide variety of diseases, including melanoma, a prolonged inflammation status leads to the persistence of APRP level changes. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis identified serum amyloid A as a valuable prognostic marker for all melanoma stages, with an increased specificity and sensitivity for early stages in combination with C reactive protein (CRP). These two acute phase proteins may have great clinical significance in melanoma considering also the cost efficiency of their in tandem testing (165).

The extensive diversity of soluble mediators and cells involved in the complex switch between acute and chronic inflammation could provide novel early indicators regarding tumor immunosuppressive status, induced by prolonged inflammation, and offer new insights in early diagnosis, prognosis evaluation and melanoma therapy monitoring.

Conclusion

Inflammation has a physiological important role as its final goal is tissue damage healing. When this process develops as chronic inflammation it triggers molecular and cellular networks that generate an immunosuppressive millieu, that can drive skin tumorigenesis. Various intrinsic and extrinsic factors can trigger the chronic status of inflammation, but the major initiating trigger in NMSC and melanoma skin cancers is photoaging. Disturbing factors alter the normal interactions between resident skin cells and immune cells that further alter tissue homeostasis.

It is extremely important in skin cancers to detect the molecular pathways that switch from acute to chronic inflammation because these pathways can be used as both predictors and markers as future therapy targets. The inflammatory status of the patients, whether related to the tissue and/or circulatory markers can aid the overall prognosis of the patient. Anti-inflammatory approaches, as already proven in NMSC are bringing new therapeutical tools to classical therapies.

Unveiling chronic inflammation patterns related to tumorigenesis can further direct/redirect the therapy choice and furnish identification of new target molecules (166). There are still questions to be answered, such as the link between sex steroid hormones and inflammation and the involvement of inflammation pattern in immunosuppressive mechanisms, but future research would further elucidate the inflammatory complex networks that should be driven towards antitumorigenic processes.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

This manuscript was supported by grant no. PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0341 and PN 18.21.02.02.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Authors' contributions

MN, CCo, CCa, CD, MS and SZ were responsible for data gathering, analysis and contributed to writing the manuscript and revising it critically for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final version of manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Patient consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Glossary

Abbreviations

Abbreviations:

References