Ornithine Decarboxylase as a Target for Chemoprevention of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Ptch1+/– Mice

The study demonstrated that ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) played a crucial role in the development of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) in Ptch1+/– mice, particularly under UVB exposure. Overexpression of ODC accelerated BCC induction, while inhibition of ODC, both genetically through antizyme (AZ) overexpression and pharmacologically using α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), significantly reduced tumor incidence. DFMO treatment notably decreased visible tumors by about 30% and microscopic lesions by over 80%. These findings suggested that targeting ODC could be a viable chemopreventive strategy to reduce BCC risk, with minimal adverse effects observed.