Interaction between Merkel cell carcinoma and the immune system: Pathogenetic and therapeutic implications (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Irene Zanetti
    • Ilaria Coati
    • Mauro Alaibac
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 1, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1406
  • Pages: 729-732
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Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. It usually appears on the face and neck of elderly Caucasian people as a flesh‑colored, erythematous or violaceous dome‑shaped, non‑tender nodule with a smooth surface. In immunocompromised patients with T‑cell dysfunction, such as patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or solid organ transplant recipients, the incidence of this disease is markedly increased. This suggests a link between the development of MCC and the immune system. Merkel cell polyolmavirus (MCPyV) is clonally integrated into the majority of MCCs, suggesting its causative role in the pathogenesis of the majority of these tumors. Despite wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and eventually, adjuvant radiation therapy, which remains the first‑line treatment for MCC, the identification of MCPyV has opened novel therapeutic insights. Novel therapeutic strategies could be to inhibit MCPyV oncoproteins and to stimulate immune responses against virus‑infected tumor cells by immunostimulatory cytokines, including interferons and interleukin‑2.
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November-2017
Volume 7 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 2049-9450
Online ISSN:2049-9469

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Spandidos Publications style
Zanetti I, Coati I and Alaibac M: Interaction between Merkel cell carcinoma and the immune system: Pathogenetic and therapeutic implications (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 7: 729-732, 2017.
APA
Zanetti, I., Coati, I., & Alaibac, M. (2017). Interaction between Merkel cell carcinoma and the immune system: Pathogenetic and therapeutic implications (Review). Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 7, 729-732. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1406
MLA
Zanetti, I., Coati, I., Alaibac, M."Interaction between Merkel cell carcinoma and the immune system: Pathogenetic and therapeutic implications (Review)". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 7.5 (2017): 729-732.
Chicago
Zanetti, I., Coati, I., Alaibac, M."Interaction between Merkel cell carcinoma and the immune system: Pathogenetic and therapeutic implications (Review)". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 7, no. 5 (2017): 729-732. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1406