489 Expression of C1q by macrophages in tumor microenvironment is associated with progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common metastatic skin cancer. The incidence of cSCC and its precancerous forms is increasing globally. Previous studies have shown a tumor promoting function of complement system in cSCC. We have shown that C1r and C1s, components of the classical pathway, are upregulated in cSCC cells compared to normal keratinocytes and promote the growth, vascularization and invasion of cSCC tumors in vivo. Here we have investigated the expression of classical pathway component C1q in cSCC.