Serine metabolic enzyme PHGDH promotes non-melanoma skin cancer progression.

Objective: To investigate the role of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), a key enzyme in serine metabolism, in the progression of non-melanoma skin cancer. Methods: The expression and distribution characteristics of PHGDH in tumor tissues were analyzed. Using an in vitro model of epidermal cancer cell lines, the effects of PHGDH inhibition on cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic ability were studied. Results: PHGDH expression was elevated in the proliferative areas of basal cell carcinoma and the poorly differentiated areas of squamous cell carcinoma. Inhibition of PHGDH significantly impaired the proliferation and anti-apoptotic capacity of epidermal cancer cell lines. Conclusion: PHGDH is involved in the progression of non-melanoma skin cancer, and its activity may serve as a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of this type of cancer.