Recent Advances in the Understanding of the Genetics, Etiology, and Treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

• Published in: Seminars in oncology Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 163 - 172
• Main Authors: Donepudi, Sreekanth, DeConti, Ronald C, Samlowski, Wolfram E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2012
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - therapy; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - virology; Clinical Trials as Topic; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Polyomavirus - genetics; Polyomavirus - metabolism; Polyomavirus Infections - complications; Polyomavirus Infections - pathology; Polyomavirus Infections - virology; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Skin Neoplasms - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - therapy; Skin Neoplasms - virology
• ISSN: 0093-7754; 1532-8708
• DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2012.01.003

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive skin malignancy. The growing incidence and recognition of this cancer in elderly or immunosuppressed individuals suggests that it is becoming an increasing clinical challenge. MCC recently has been demonstrated to have a probable viral pathogenesis related to a novel member of the polyomavirus (termed Merkel cell polyomavirus [MCV]). The molecular pathogenesis of viral carcinogenesis is currently being worked out in MCC. Current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are discussed, with an eye toward the future development of molecularly targeted treatments.