Expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, PCNA, and caspase-3 in cells of skin melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

The intensity of cell proliferation and apoptosis and expression peripheral benzodiazepine receptor were studied in skin biopsy specimens from patients with squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma of the skin. Sharp inhibition of apoptosis and changes in the levels of cell proliferation in tumor cells were paralleled by decreased expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor.