Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John Charles Rotondo, Chiara Mazziotta, Carmen Lanzillotti, Mauro Tognon, Fernanda Martini
Summary: This review discusses the impact of epigenetic mechanisms on Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)-driven Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), highlighting the importance of histone posttranslational modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNA regulation. The dysregulation of these epigenetic processes may have clinical significance for MCC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
L. M. Parra, B. G. C. Sartori, D. R. Fernandes, L. R. Fachin, M. R. S. Nogueira, A. F. F. Belone, A. J. F. Nunes, F. C. Souza-Santana
Summary: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous carcinoma with a high mortality rate. The presence of Merkel cell-associated polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection and the expression of HLA-G are associated with the clinical course and prognosis of MCC.
Review
Virology
Zongsong Wu, Fabrice E. Graf, Hans H. Hirsch
Summary: HPyVs infect a large percentage of the human population without causing significant illness. Identified HPyV diseases primarily affect immunocompromised hosts, with manifestations in various organs. Current lack of effective antiviral therapies necessitates further research and development for prevention and treatment of HPyV diseases.
REVIEWS IN MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Chiara Mazziotta, Carmen Lanzillotti, Elena Torreggiani, Lucia Oton-Gonzalez, Maria Rosa Iaquinta, Elisa Mazzoni, Pauline Gaboriaud, Antoine Touze, Ettore Silvagni, Marcello Govoni, Fernanda Martini, Mauro Tognon, John Charles Rotondo
Summary: The study utilized a novel indirect ELISA method using two synthetic peptides to analyze antibodies against MCPyV. Results showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detecting IgGs against MCPyV VP mimotopes, indicating a relatively high prevalence of MCPyV infection among the population.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ameeta Lubina Nayak, Arthur Travis Pickett, Megan Delisle, Brittany Dingley, Ranjeeta Mallick, Trevor Hamilton, Heather Stuart, Martha Talbot, Gregory Mckinnon, Evan Jost, Eva Thiboutot, Valerie Francescutti, Sal Samman, Alexandra Easson, Angela Schellenberg, Shaila Merchant, Julie La, Kaitlin Vanderbeck, Frances Wright, David Berger-Richardson, Pamela Hebbard, Olivia Hershorn, Rami Younan, Erica Patocskai, Samuel Rodriguez-Qizilbash, Ari Meguerditichian, Vanina Tchuente, Suzanne Kazandjian, Alex Mathieson, Farisa Hossain, Jessika Hetu, Martin Corsten, Angelina Tohme, Carolyn Nessim, Stephanie Johnson-Obaseki
Summary: This study, the largest Canadian evaluation of survival outcomes for head and neck MCC, found that disease staging and treatment modalities are associated with survival. Multimodal treatment is associated with higher survival rates across all stages of the disease.
Review
Oncology
Ellen M. Zwijnenburg, Satish F. K. Lubeek, Johanna E. M. Werner, Avital L. Amir, Willem L. J. Weijs, Robert P. Takes, Sjoert A. H. Pegge, Carla M. L. van Herpen, Gosse J. Adema, Johannes H. A. M. Kaanders
Summary: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the skin mainly seen in the elderly, with increasing incidence due to aging population, sun exposure, and immunosuppressive medication use. Early detection and prompt treatment are crucial, with management often involving surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Management by an experienced multidisciplinary team is essential due to the rarity, aggressiveness, and frail patient population it concerns.
Review
Oncology
Christina V. Angeles, Michael S. Sabel
Summary: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive form of skin cancer that, while responsive to chemotherapy, often relapses and develops resistance, limiting the effectiveness of treatment. The management of advanced MCC has been significantly impacted by the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors. Ongoing research is focusing on immunotherapy for MCC in unresectable and metastatic cases, as well as exploring future immune-based strategies for this challenging cancer.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Roland Houben, Bueke Celikdemir, Thibault Kervarrec, David Schrama
Summary: By studying the cancer-inducing ability of polyomaviruses, researchers have made significant progress in understanding tumor suppressor proteins and have identified Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) as a human polyomavirus-induced cancer. Intensive research has since uncovered many details about the virus-host interaction and the molecular mechanisms by which MCPyV causes cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge on MCPyV and MCC and discusses remaining questions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Attila Mokanszki, Gabor Mehes, Szilvia Lilla Csoma, Sandor Kollar, Yi-Che Chang Chien
Summary: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy often associated with sun exposure, with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) implicated in its pathogenesis. Genetic differences were identified between MCPyV-positive and -negative MCC cases, with more pathogenic variants found in virus-associated cases. Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these findings.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kashif Rasheed, Ugo Moens, Benedetta Policastro, John Inge Johnsen, Virve Koljonen, Harri Sihto, Weng-Onn Lui, Baldur Sveinbjornsson
Summary: This study investigated the expression levels of human cytokines and receptors in virus-positive and virus-negative MCC cell lines. The results showed that MCPyV's LT and sT can induce IL-33 expression, and IL-33 may be involved in tumorigenesis through activation of the MAP kinase and NF-kappa B pathways. Furthermore, the study found higher expression levels of IL-33 in MCC tissues and patient plasma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Dan Xu, Sheng Jiang, Yue He, Xiang Jin, Gan Zhao, Bin Wang
Summary: The study showed that immunotherapy using a VP1-target vaccine can improve the prognosis of MCC patients by activating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses to inhibit tumor growth.
Article
Oncology
Sonja Levy, Stephanie A. Blankenstein, Dirk Jan Grunhagen, Mathilde Jalving, Olga Hamming-Vrieze, Lukas B. Been, Lisa Tans, Alexander C. J. van Akkooi, Margot E. T. Tesselaar
Summary: PORT is associated with reduced recurrence and overall mortality in stage I-III MCC patients in the Netherlands, but not with MCC-related mortality. Further refinement of PORT criteria is needed to address selection bias.
RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Thibault Kervarrec, Silke Appenzeller, Anne Tallet, Marie-Laure Jullie, Pierre Sohier, Francois Guillonneau, Arno Rutten, Patricia Berthon, Yannick Le Corre, Ewa Hainaut-Wierzbicka, Astrid Blom, Nathalie Beneton, Guido Bens, Charline Nardin, Francois Aubin, Monica Dinulescu, Sebastien Visee, Michael Herfs, Antoine Touze, Serge Guyetant, Mahtab Samimi, Roland Houben, David Schrama
Summary: This study found that wildtype MCPyV genomes and VP1 transcription exist in a subset of MCC.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Danielle Brazel, Priyanka Kumar, Hung Doan, Tianyu Pan, Weining Shen, Ling Gao, Justin T. Moyers
Summary: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer with increasing incidence. This study aimed to identify actionable alterations associated with tumor mutation burden (TMB) using the OncoKB database. The findings suggest that targeted therapies may be a viable treatment option for selected MCC patients.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Stachyra, Monika Dudzisz-Sledz, Elzbieta Bylina, Anna Szumera-Cieckiewicz, Mateusz J. Spalek, Ewa Bartnik, Piotr Rutkowski, Anna M. Czarnecka
Summary: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive skin cancer that develops in sun-exposed areas. It can be categorized into viral positive and viral negative types, with the latter having a high mutation burden and abnormal gene expression. Surgical excision is the main treatment for MCC, while radiotherapy is effective but can lead to chemoresistance. Immunotherapy has become the standard first-line therapy for advanced MCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)