2. Academic Validation
  3. Merkel cell carcinoma - recent advances in the biology, diagnostics and treatment

Merkel cell carcinoma - recent advances in the biology, diagnostics and treatment

  • Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2014 Aug;53:536-46. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.04.023.
Piotr Czapiewski 1,  Wojciech Biernat 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 2 Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
PMID: 24811434 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.04.023
Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon primary cutaneous carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation. Since recent discovery of MCCs strong association with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), there has been a rapid increase in the understanding of the carcinomas genetics, Molecular Biology and pathogenesis. In our study, we reviewed recent advances and controversies concerning MCC histogenesis, epidemiology, diagnostic and prognostic markers. We analyzed the association of MCPyV with MCC and the possible new targets for therapy. We also examined English-based literature regarding MCC pathogenesis published between 2008 and 2013, which lead to a deeper understanding of the topic. Our study showed that the association of MCPyV strongly influences the course of MCC. Additionally, it has been shown that a immunological response to MCPyV may in the future give hope to identify new therapeutic strategies in treatment of this fatal malignancy. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Rare Cancers.

Keywords

Immune response; Immunohistochemistry; Merkel cell carcinoma; Merkel cell polyomavirus; Prognostic factors.

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