Updates on Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Drew A Emge; Adela R Cardones

doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.06.002

Updates on Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Dermatol Clin. 2019 Oct;37(4):489-503. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2019.06.002.

Authors

Drew A Emge¹, Adela R Cardones²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
² Department of Dermatology, Duke University, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. Electronic address: adela.cardones@duke.edu.

PMID: 31466589
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2019.06.002

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive skin cancer associated with the Merkel cell Polyomavirus. Its incidence and mortality are increasing. There have been many advances in the last several decades in the etiology, detection, and management of MCC, but much about its natural history and most effective treatment remains unknown. Surgical excision with margins of 1 to 2 cm remains first-line therapy for early-stage MCC, but robust evidence supporting immunotherapy for patients with advanced disease has led to recent approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of advanced MCC.

Keywords: Cancer; Merkel cell carcinoma; Polyomavirus; Skin.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / immunology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / pathology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / therapy*
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / virology
Dermatologic Surgical Procedures*
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Merkel cell polyomavirus
Polyomavirus Infections
Radiotherapy*
Risk Factors
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Skin Neoplasms / immunology
Skin Neoplasms / pathology
Skin Neoplasms / therapy*
Skin Neoplasms / virology
Tumor Virus Infections
Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
pembrolizumab
avelumab