scholarly journals Which Are the Cells of Origin in Merkel Cell Carcinoma?

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Tilling ◽  
Ingrid Moll
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Neuroendocrine Cells ◽  
Merkel Cells ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Skin Tumour ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Cells Of Origin

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a highly aggressive skin tumour with increasing incidence, is associated with the newly discovered Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Studies on MCC and MCPyV as well as other risk factors have significantly increased our knowledge of MCC pathogenesis, but the cells of origin, which could be important targets in future therapies, are still unknown. Merkel cells (MCs), the neuroendocrine cells of the skin, were believed to be at the origin of MCC due to their phenotypic similarities. However, for several reasons, for example, heterogeneous differentiation of MCCs and postmitotic character of MCs, it is not very likely that MCC develops from differentiated MCs. Skin stem cells, probably from the epidermal lineage, are more likely to be cells of origin in MCC. Future studies will have to address these questions more directly in order to identify the physiological cells which are transformed to MCC cells.

scholarly journals Merkel Cell Polyomavirus and Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Pietropaolo ◽  
Carla Prezioso ◽  
Ugo Moens
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus ◽  
Cell Tropism ◽  
Merkel Cells ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Tumor Viruses ◽  
Cells Of Origin ◽  
Rna And Dna

Viruses are the cause of approximately 15% of all human cancers. Both RNA and DNA human tumor viruses have been identified, with Merkel cell polyomavirus being the most recent one to be linked to cancer. This virus is associated with about 80% of Merkel cell carcinomas, a rare, but aggressive cutaneous malignancy. Despite its name, the cells of origin of this tumor may not be Merkel cells. This review provides an update on the structure and life cycle, cell tropism and epidemiology of the virus and its oncogenic properties. Putative strategies to prevent viral infection or treat virus-positive Merkel cell carcinoma patients are discussed.

Metastasis of cancer from Merkel cells to the thyroid gland

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-88
Author(s):  
Piotr Przyczyna ◽  
◽  
Elżbieta Trojnar ◽  
Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher ◽  
David Aebisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Thyroid Gland ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Degenerative Changes ◽  
Merkel Cells ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Left Buttock

Introduction. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. Aim. Herein described is a case of hypertensive patient, after removal of Merkel cancer of the left gluteus skin (2011), after pulmonary embolism (2013), with degenerative changes of the spine and uterine myoma, chronically treated with Warfarin, because of suspected thyroid cancer. Description of the case. A 70-year-old woman case after removing Merkel cancer of the left buttock skin (2011), after pulmonary embolism (2013), with degenerative changes of the spine and uterine fibroids treated chronically with Warfarin because of suspected thyroid cancer is described. Conclusion. Increasing evidence of Merkel cell carcinoma with immunodeficiency and neoplasia, and the management and outcome of these patients requires study.

scholarly journals Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Recent Progress and Current Priorities on Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Management

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (24) ◽  
pp. 4021-4026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Neuroendocrine Cells ◽  
Human Polyomavirus ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation ◽  
Cytokeratin 20 ◽  
Merkel Cell

Purpose To expedite improved understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare malignancy of cutaneous neuroendocrine cells that has a 28% 2-year mortality rate. Methods This article summarizes a workshop that discussed the state-of-the-art research and priorities for research on MCC and on a new human polyomavirus (ie, MCPyV) recently discovered in 80% of MCC tumors. Results Normal Merkel cells are widely distributed in the epidermis near the end of nerve axons and may function as mechanoreceptors or chemoreceptors. Malignant MCC cells typically stain for cytokeratin 20 as well as for other epithelial and neuroendocrine markers. MCC subtypes, which are based on histology, on cell line growth properties, and on gene expression profiles, have been reported but have not been linked to prognosis. Clinical management has been empiric. MCPyV is clonally integrated at various sites in the human genome of MCC tumors, with truncating mutations in the viral, large T antigen gene that interrupt viral replication. MCPyV seroprevalence may be high, as with previously known human polyomaviruses. MCC risk is increased 11-fold with AIDS and with other cell-mediated immune deficiencies, B-cell neoplasms, and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Conclusion Development and validation of a range quantitative polymerase chain reaction and serologic assays for detection of MCPyV, as well as an infectious clone of the virus, would clarify the fundamental biology, natural history, and epidemiology of the virus, of MCC, and of other diseases. Contingent on standardized histologic diagnosis and staging of MCC, consortia are needed to clarify the risks and benefits of sentinel lymph node biopsy, adjuvant radiation therapy, and salvage therapies; consortia are needed also for epidemiologic studies of MCC etiology.

Merkel cell carcinoma in situ : New insights into the cells of origin

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anes Yang ◽  
Carolina Cordoba ◽  
Karen Cheung ◽  
Joseph Konya
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Carcinoma In Situ ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Cells Of Origin

scholarly journals 61-Year-Old White Female with a Non-Healing Ulcerated Ankle Mass

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 344-347
Author(s):  
Christopher Lowther ◽  
Troy Fiddler ◽  
Ian A Whitcroft ◽  
Juanita Sapp ◽  
Etan Marks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complete Remission ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Tumor Response ◽  
Polyoma Virus ◽  
White Female ◽  
Merkel Cells ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
One Year

Merkel cell carcinoma is a  rare cutaneous carcinoma from the tactile Merkel cells. With fewer than half the patients surviving more than one year and fewer than 20% surviving beyond five years. These tumors are rarely suspected until the biopsy results return. Polyoma virus is associated with up to 80% of the tumors. 53% present on the head and neck and 35% present on the extremities while larger lesions are exceedingly rare in either location. Recently, A newly approved drug, Avelumab, has shown tumor response in patients with some patients experiencing complete remission.

scholarly journals Treatment of Locally Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma—A Multi-Center Study

Cancers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 422
Author(s):  
Monika Dudzisz-Sledz ◽  
Paweł Sobczuk ◽  
Katarzyna Kozak ◽  
Tomasz Switaj ◽  
Hanna Kosela-Paterczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Nodal Metastases ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Independent Risk Factors

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer with a high risk of recurrence and poor prognosis. The treatment of locally advanced disease involves surgery and radiotherapy. To analyze real-life treatment patterns and clinical outcomes, we conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 161 MCC patients treated with curative intent in four oncological centers in Poland. The median age at diagnosis was 72 years (30–94); 49.7% were male. Lymph node (LN) involvement at diagnosis was found in 26.9% of patients. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was performed in 36.5% of patients (positive in 10.5%), and 51.9% of patients received perioperative treatment. The relapse rate was 38.3%. With the median follow-up of 2.3 years, the median disease-free survival (DFS) was not reached, and the 1-year rate was 65%. The negative independent risk factors for DFS were male gender, metastases in LN at diagnosis, no SLNB in patients without clinical nodal metastases, and no perioperative radiotherapy. The estimated median overall survival (OS) was 6.9 years (95%CI 4.64–9.15). The negative independent risk factors for OS were male gender, age above 70, metastases in LN at diagnosis, and no SLNB in patients without clinical nodal metastases. Our results confirm that the MCC treatment should be conducted in an experienced multidisciplinary team; however, the outcomes are still unsatisfactory.

scholarly journals Complete response to avelumab and IL-15 superagonist N-803 with Abraxane in Merkel cell carcinoma: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001098
Author(s):  
Leylah Drusbosky ◽  
Chaitali Nangia ◽  
Andrew Nguyen ◽  
Christopher Szeto ◽  
Yulia Newton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Abdominal Mass ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Neuroendocrine Cells ◽  
Merkel Cell ◽  
Moderate Dose ◽  
Aortic Lesion ◽  
Interleukin 15

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive form of skin cancer originating in neuroendocrine cells. The antiprogrammed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) avelumab has been approved for treatment of MCC, but options are limited, should it be ineffective as a monotherapy. Combined therapy with low/moderate dose nab-paclitaxel and an interleukin 15 (IL-15)-based therapeutic such as the IL-15 ‘superagonist’ N-803 may increase response by activation of the immune system. The case of a 71-year-old man diagnosed with MCC who achieved and maintained a complete response (CR) by treatment with the anti-PD-L1 mAb avelumab in combination with IL-15 superagonist N-803 and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) is presented. Avelumab treatment alone resulted in a response in a para-aortic lesion, but not the other tumor masses. N-803 was added, followed by nab-paclitaxel; CT showed a decrease in the size of the abdominal mass at 1 month, near resolution at 3 months and CR at 5 months. Abraxane was discontinued after the first CR on CT, and the patient continues on avelumab/N-803 treatment and maintains a CR. Combination of avelumab with low/moderate-dose chemotherapy and an immune enhancer such as N-803 may offer a viable treatment option for MCC patients for whom avelumab therapy alone was not effective.

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