Validation of Clinical Biomarkers Using Spatial Transcriptomics and Development of a Diagnostic Test to Characterize the Progression Potential of Cutaneous Precancerous Lesions

Actinic keratoses are precancerous skin lesions that are the most common among all cancers and precancerous conditions in fair-skinned populations. The distinctive feature of these actinic keratoses is that some progress into skin cancers known as cutaneous carcinomas, while others regress spontaneously; currently, there is no way to distinguish between them, either through clinical observation or biological methods. The goal of the Diagno-KA project is to develop a diagnostic test that would distinguish between actinic keratoses that progress to cancer-so they can be surgically removed early (before they become severe and metastasize)-and those that regress, thereby avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention (to prevent scarring).