Genomic Mechanisms of THz-Induced Cancer Dysregulation in Human Skin

Intense pulses of THz radiation significantly alter gene expression and dysregulate phenotypic endpoints of cancer-related signaling pathways, including activation of an inflammatory response and suppression of pro-mitotic signaling in human skin. Of 1681 potential candidates, the predicted cancer-related dysregulation is nearly entirely localized to a subset of only 42 key driver genes belonging to 7 gene families/superfamilies. The individual and concerted regulatory roles of these genes within the relevant cancer-related pathways are elucidated and discussed in the context of gene-specific response to THz exposure and potential for clinical application.