Genetic Risk Factors for Early-Onset Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Surgical treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Experiences from a single-center cohort

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignancy, with about half of cases affecting the head and neck region. This retrospective study evaluated risk factors and survival outcomes in 89 patients (47 females, 42 males, median age: 77 years) treated with curative surgical therapy ± adjuvant therapy at a single center from 2010 to 2023. Most patients (71.9 %) presented with UICC stage I-II disease, while 28.1 % were diagnosed with stage III disease. Among the 55 patients undergoing surgical neck management, the lymph node metastasis rate was 40.0 %. Adjuvant therapy was completed in 67.5 % of patients. In the 81 patients eligible for survival analysis, the two-year overall survival (OS) was 78.8 %, and disease-free survival (DFS) was 57.2 %. Multivariable Cox regression identified completion of adjuvant therapy as a statistically significant factor of improved OS (HR 0.154; p = 0.00611). UICC stage III was significantly associated with worse DFS (HR 10.507; p = 0.00656). Additionally, a lymph node yield of more than 3 nodes was linked to worse OS (HR 4.337; p = 0.0456) and DFS (HR 3.468; p = 0.0355). This study highlights the high rate of lymph node metastasis in MCC and its detrimental impact on survival, emphasizing the importance of aggressive, guideline-concordant multimodal treatment for improved outcomes.

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Co-Infection in HIV/AIDS Individuals: Clinical Diagnosis, Consequences and Treatments

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) was named for its role as the causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), which is MCV positive in approximately 80% of cases. MCV is classified as a Group 2A carcinogen, which promotes carcinogenesis by integrating T-antigen into the cell genome. The prevalence of anti-MCV antibodies in the general population can be as high as 90%. MCV typically promotes cancer by integrating T-antigen genes into the host cell genome, and 80% of MCC cases are attributed to MCV activation. In immunocompetent individuals, MCV usually remains latent after infection. However, the incidence of MCC increases significantly in immunocompromised or immunodeficient patients, such as those who have undergone organ transplantation, have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Acquired immunodeficiency is a particular feature of people living with HIV. Currently, research on HIV/AIDS patients with MCV infection, clinical outcomes, and treatments is quite limited. This paper reviews previous research and systematically examines the relationship between HIV/AIDS and MCV-associated diseases, with the aim of providing valuable information for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of MCV in vulnerable populations.

Different prognosis in cutaneous early-onset and late-onset Merkel cell carcinoma: a population-based retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive form of skin cancer. However, there is limited research on the clinicopathological features of early-onset MCC (EOMCC) and the differences between EOMCC and late-onset MCC (LOMCC). Our objective was to evaluate the clinicopathological features and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of EOMCC.

METHODS

Our cohort study analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. Data from 1941 patients who were diagnosed with primary cutaneous MCC were included. We then divided the patients with MCC into two groups: those with EOMCC (526 patients) and those with LOMCC (1415 patients). CSS is used as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

The EOMCC group exhibited trends toward advanced tumor progression, an expanded surgical scope, increased lymph node retrieval, intensified radiotherapy, greater utilization of systemic therapy, and a better prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that LOMCC (HR 3.305 [2.002-5.456], P < 0.001), advanced T stage (HR 1.430 [1.139-1.797], P = 0.002), advanced N stage (HR 1.522 [1.221-1.897], P < 0.001), M1 stage (HR 2.587 [1.480-4.521], P < 0.001), and radiation (HR 0.586 [0.410-0.837], P = 0.003) were significantly associated with CSS. Among these factors, EOMCC/LOMCC was most strongly associated with CSS, indicating that LOMCC is an independent risk factor for CSS. Interestingly, we found that regional EOMCC and localized or in situ LOMCC had almost completely overlapping survival curves (Plog-rank = 0.620). Additionally, we observed that the TNM staging + age model was a more accurate predictor of CSS among MCC patients than using TNM staging alone.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that EOMCC has distinct clinicopathological features compared to LOMCC. EOMCC is associated with better CSS. The combination of TNM staging and age was more accurate for predicting patient outcomes than TNM staging alone.

Updates on eyelid cancers

In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the five most common malignant eyelid tumors with current treatment recommendations based on international guidelines. Particular attention is paid to the clinicopathological correlation and the update with regard to adequate treatment. Newer systemic therapies enrich the existing treatment options, of which complete tumor excision remains the most important therapeutic measure.