A group of scientists from Australia and the U.S. report finding two related genes that cause the dangerous skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.

The team led by Professor Stephen Jane and Dr. Charbel Darido of Monash University's Department of Medicine at the Alfred Hospital in Prahran, Victoria, have discovered a gene called Grhl3 that can stop the increase of SCC cells in humans. Without the gene, squamous cell carcinoma can likely develop in the body. This is the first time that scientists have been able to identify the genes that cause squamous cell carcinoma.

"These gene mutations are a common factor in a form of skin cancer which is both common and life threatening," said Irene Leigh, Vice-Principal of the University of Dundee and Head of the College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, who led the Dundee end of the collaboration. 'By identifying these mutations, our group at Dundee, working with international partners, hopes to exploit the process of skin development to which these genes contribute to develop new cancer therapies capable of targeting skin and similar cancers such as lung SCC."

The study shows that the gene Grhl3 is absent in adult SCC tumor cells which proves that this gene is a driver of this type of skin cancer. The team also found out that Grhl3 can also be connected to other types of cancers such as neck and head cancers. When the team looked at the SCC cells in neck and head cancers they were also missing the Grhl3 gene.

About 434,000 Australians are treated for non-melanoma skin cancer each year. According to the Cancer Council of Australia there were 420 deaths in 2008 from non-melanoma skin cancer. Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Some of the common symptoms of skin cancers are small lumps that are red, pale or pearly in color, new spots in the skin and any crusty or non-healing sores. SCC is one of the most common types of skin cancer.

Currently common skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma can be treated with ointments or radiation therapy. They can also be removed with a surgical procedure. Jane and the rest of the research team hope that by finding the cause of SCC they can find new ways of treating the disease. They are now working towards finding ways of treating the gene so that SCC can be prevented outright. Jane hopes that they can find that cure "so patients could be reaping the benefits of this research in under five years."