1
|
Ramachandran V, Loya A, Ozog DM, Lim HW. Second primary malignancies in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma: a national database study. Int J Dermatol 2023; 62:e512-e514. [PMID: 36880530 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Asad Loya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David M Ozog
- Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Henry W Lim
- Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schultz E. [Merkel Cell Carcinoma]. Laryngorhinootologie 2023. [PMID: 36693386 DOI: 10.1055/a-1949-3751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma represents a neuroendocrine tumour which can grow rapidly and metastasizes early. The median age of patients is 75-80 years. Given the continuously rising population age Merkel cell carcinoma is diagnosed more often. Besides surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy immunooncology plays an important role in the treatment of this aggressive tumour.
Collapse
|
3
|
Brazel D, Kumar P, Doan H, Pan T, Shen W, Gao L, Moyers JT. Genomic Alterations and Tumor Mutation Burden in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2249674. [PMID: 36602798 PMCID: PMC9856969 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.49674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma with increasing incidence. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors provide treatment options in the metastatic setting; however, there are no approved or standard of care targeted therapy treatment options. OBJECTIVE To identify actionable alterations annotated by the OncoKB database therapeutic evidence level in association with tumor mutation burden (TMB). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study using data from the American Association for Cancer Research Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange, a multicenter international cancer consortium database. Patients with MCC were enrolled in participating institutions between 2017 and 2022. Data from version 11.0 of the database were released in January 2022 and analyzed from April to June 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was the percentage of patients with high TMB and OncoKB level 3B and 4 alterations. RESULTS A total of 324 tumor samples from 313 patients with MCC (107 women [34.2%]; 287 White patients [91.7%]; 7 Black patients [2.2%]) were cataloged in the database. The median (range) number of alterations was 4.0 (0.0-178.0), with a mean (SD) of 13.6 (21.2) alterations. Oncogenic alterations represented 20.2% of all alterations (862 of 4259 alterations). Tissue originated from primary tumor in 55.0% of patients (172 patients) vs metastasis in 39.6% (124 patients). TMB-high (≥10 mutations per megabase) was present in 26.2% of cases (82 patients). Next-generation sequencing identified 55 patients (17.6%) with a level 3B variation for a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for use in a biomarker-approved indication or approved drug in another indication. An additional 8.6% of patients (27 patients) had a level 4 variation. Actionable alterations were more common among high TMB cases, with 37 of 82 patients (45.1%) harboring level 3 alterations compared with only 18 of 231 patients (7.8%) with low TMB. The most common level 3B gene variants included PIK3CA (12 patients [3.8%]), BRCA1/2 (13 patients [4.2%]), ATM (7 patients [2.2%]), HRAS (5 patients [1.6%]), and TSC1/2 (6 patients [1.9%]). The most common level 4 variants include PTEN (13 patients [4.1%]), ARID1A (9 patients [2.9%]), NF1 (7 patients [2.2%]), and CDKN2A (7 patients [2.2%]). Copy number alterations and fusions were infrequent. In 61.0% of cases (191 cases), a PanCancer pathway was altered, and 39.9% (125 cases) had alterations in multiple pathways. Commonly altered pathways were RTK-RAS (119 patients [38.0%]), TP53 (103 patients [32.9%]), cell cycle (104 patients [33.2%]), PI3K (99 patients [31.6%]), and NOTCH (93 patients [29.7%]). In addition, oncogenic DNA mismatch repair gene alterations were present in 8.0% of cases (25 patients). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cross-sectional retrospective study of alterations and TMB in MCC, a minority of patients had potentially actionable alterations. These findings support the investigation of targeted therapies as single agent or in combination with immunotherapy or cytotoxic chemotherapy in selected MCC populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Brazel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange
| | - Priyanka Kumar
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange
| | - Hung Doan
- Unafilliliated Independent Contractor
| | - Tianyu Pan
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Irvine
| | - Weining Shen
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Irvine
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Long Beach Veterans Health Administration, Long Beach, California
| | - Justin T. Moyers
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Therapeutic Potential of 5'-Methylschweinfurthin G in Merkel Cell Polyomavirus-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091848. [PMID: 36146655 PMCID: PMC9506461 DOI: 10.3390/v14091848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer predominantly caused by the human Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Treatment for MCC includes excision and radiotherapy of local disease, and chemotherapy or immunotherapy for metastatic disease. The schweinfurthin family of natural compounds previously displayed potent and selective growth inhibitory activity against the NCI-60 panel of human-derived cancer cell lines. Here, we investigated the impact of schweinfurthin on human MCC cell lines. Treatment with the schweinfurthin analog, 5'-methylschweinfurth G (MeSG also known as TTI-3114), impaired metabolic activity through induction of an apoptotic pathway. MeSG also selectively inhibited PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways in the MCPyV-positive MCC cell line, MS-1. Interestingly, expression of the MCPyV small T (sT) oncogene selectively sensitizes mouse embryonic fibroblasts to MeSG. These results suggest that the schweinfurthin family of compounds display promising potential as a novel therapeutic option for virus-induced MCCs.
Collapse
|
5
|
Schultz ES. Merkelzellkarzinom. AKTUELLE DERMATOLOGIE 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1739-4701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungDas Merkelzellkarzinom ist ein aggressiver neuroendokriner Tumor, welcher durch schnelles Wachstum und frühzeitige Metastasierung charakterisiert ist. Das mediane Erkrankungsalter liegt zwischen 75–80 Jahren. Mit Zunahme des durchschnittlichen Bevölkerungsalters tritt der einstmals seltene Tumor immer häufiger auf. Neben den klassischen Therapiesäulen Chirurgie, Strahlentherapie und Chemotherapie spielt die Immunonkologie auch beim Merkelzellkarzinom eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erwin S. Schultz
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Klinikum Nürnberg – Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Nürnberg
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Stachyra K, Dudzisz-Śledź M, Bylina E, Szumera-Ciećkiewicz A, Spałek MJ, Bartnik E, Rutkowski P, Czarnecka AM. Merkel Cell Carcinoma from Molecular Pathology to Novel Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6305. [PMID: 34208339 PMCID: PMC8231245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon and highly aggressive skin cancer. It develops mostly within chronically sun-exposed areas of the skin. MCPyV is detected in 60-80% of MCC cases as integrated within the genome and is considered a major risk factor for MCC. Viral negative MCCs have a high mutation burden with a UV damage signature. Aberrations occur in RB1, TP53, and NOTCH genes as well as in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. MCC is highly immunogenic, but MCC cells are known to evade the host's immune response. Despite the characteristic immunohistological profile of MCC, the diagnosis is challenging, and it should be confirmed by an experienced pathologist. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is considered the most reliable staging tool to identify subclinical nodal disease. Subclinical node metastases are present in about 30-50% of patients with primary MCC. The basis of MCC treatment is surgical excision. MCC is highly radiosensitive. It becomes chemoresistant within a few months. MCC is prone to recurrence. The outcomes in patients with metastatic disease are poor, with a historical 5-year survival of 13.5%. The median progression-free survival is 3-5 months, and the median overall survival is ten months. Currently, immunotherapy has become a standard of care first-line therapy for advanced MCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Stachyra
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (M.D.-Ś.); (E.B.); (M.J.S.); (P.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Dudzisz-Śledź
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (M.D.-Ś.); (E.B.); (M.J.S.); (P.R.)
| | - Elżbieta Bylina
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (M.D.-Ś.); (E.B.); (M.J.S.); (P.R.)
- Department of Clinical Trials, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Szumera-Ciećkiewicz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Diagnostics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Diagnostic Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz J. Spałek
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (M.D.-Ś.); (E.B.); (M.J.S.); (P.R.)
| | - Ewa Bartnik
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (M.D.-Ś.); (E.B.); (M.J.S.); (P.R.)
| | - Anna M. Czarnecka
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (M.D.-Ś.); (E.B.); (M.J.S.); (P.R.)
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hatano Y, Ideta T, Hirata A, Hatano K, Tomita H, Okada H, Shimizu M, Tanaka T, Hara A. Virus-Driven Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2625. [PMID: 34071792 PMCID: PMC8198641 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer arises from the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Even in the era of precision oncology, carcinogens contributing to neoplastic process are still an important focus of research. Comprehensive genomic analyses have revealed various combinations of base substitutions, referred to as the mutational signatures, in cancer. Each mutational signature is believed to arise from specific DNA damage and repair processes, including carcinogens. However, as a type of carcinogen, tumor viruses increase the cancer risk by alternative mechanisms, including insertional mutagenesis, viral oncogenes, and immunosuppression. In this review, we summarize virus-driven carcinogenesis to provide a framework for the control of malignant cell proliferation. We first provide a brief overview of oncogenic viruses and describe their implication in virus-related tumors. Next, we describe tumor viruses (HPV, Human papilloma virus; HBV, Hepatitis B virus; HCV, Hepatitis C virus; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus; MCV, Merkel cell polyoma virus; HTLV-1, Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, type-1) and tumor virus-related cancers. Lastly, we introduce emerging tumor virus candidates, human cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV-2). We expect this review to be a hub in a complex network of data for virus-associated carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Hatano
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan; (H.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Takayasu Ideta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan; (T.I.); (M.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Akihiro Hirata
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan;
| | - Kayoko Hatano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu 501-1194, Japan;
| | - Hiroyuki Tomita
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan; (H.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Hideshi Okada
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan;
| | - Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan; (T.I.); (M.S.)
| | - Takuji Tanaka
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology (DDP) and Research Center of Diagnostic Pathology (RC-DiP), Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu 500-8513, Japan;
| | - Akira Hara
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan; (H.T.); (A.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Muto Y, Ryo E, Namikawa K, Takahashi A, Ogata D, Fujimura T, Yatabe Y, Aiba S, Yamazaki N, Mori T. RB1 gene mutations are a distinct predictive factor in Merkel cell carcinoma. Pathol Int 2021; 71:337-347. [PMID: 33751708 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma that tends to show local recurrence and metastasis. Typically, MCC is polyomavirus (MCPyV)-associated and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) positive. However, little is known about this tumor and its origins. Here, we aimed to determine the developmental origins of MCC and to identify prognostic clinicopathologic factors. Initial examinations revealed that CK20 and MCPyV expression (CK20+, MCPyV+ (60%); CK20+, MCPyV- (10%); CK20-, and MCPyV- (30%)) did not affect overall survival. With RB1 gene sequencing of FFPE specimens, which covered an entire exon, all RB1 mutation-positive cases showed positive regional lymph node and/or distant metastases (8/8 cases, 100%), whereas the frequency of the metastasis was statistically significantly lower in RB1 mutation-negative cases, (10/16 cases, 62%, P = 0.033). The results were also confirmed with immunohistochemistry, and either RB1 alterations, entire exon sequencing, or immunohistochemistry was associated with the metastasis (P = 0.007). RB1 alterations may be used to access the aggressive clinical course of MCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Muto
- Department of Dermatologic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Eijitsu Ryo
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Namikawa
- Department of Dermatologic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Takahashi
- Department of Dermatologic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dai Ogata
- Department of Dermatologic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taku Fujimura
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yatabe
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Setsuya Aiba
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Naoya Yamazaki
- Department of Dermatologic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taisuke Mori
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hacking S, Chavaria H, Khan L, Das K. Angiosarcoma in Collision With a Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review. Int J Surg Pathol 2019; 28:325-329. [PMID: 31601140 DOI: 10.1177/1066896919880260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare entity that most commonly arises from the skin. Angiosarcoma (AS) is a rare malignancy with a predilection for elderly males, has endothelial differentiation and a notoriously poor prognosis despite aggressive therapy. Herein, we report an angiosarcoma colliding with a MCC, in a patient with a past medical history of squamous cell carcinoma, status-post radiation therapy. More specifically, our case represents a collision tumor, a rare entity composed of two histologically distinct neoplasms which coincide together at the same location. This case represents the first documented report of such a presentation. With that being said, its clinical course, prognosis, pathogenesis, and molecular profile, currently remains unclear. Importantly, neoplasms are increasingly being found to be associated with radiation therapy, of which our patient had received. Ultimately, however, with the lack of c-MYC immunohistochemical staining, and a short duration between radiation exposure and presentation, the AS in our case was likely coincidental.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Hacking
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hector Chavaria
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leonard Khan
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kasturi Das
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
|
11
|
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Beyond: An Overview of Immune-Based Therapies in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Am J Clin Dermatol 2019; 20:391-407. [PMID: 30784027 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-019-00427-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer. Until 2017, patients with advanced disease were typically treated with conventional chemotherapies, with a median response duration of 3 months. Increased evidence of the role of the immune system in controlling this cancer has paved the way for immune-based therapies, with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors at the frontline. Avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, was the first-ever drug approved in advanced MCC after showing meaningful efficacy in a second-line setting. Objective responses were observed in one-third of patients and, most importantly, were durable with half of patients and one-third of patients still alive at 1 and 2 years, respectively. When used in a first-line setting, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (avelumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab) are even more promising as objective responses are observed in approximately 50-70% of patients within the first 4-8 weeks of treatment. Safety profiles are acceptable with 10-20% of patients experiencing adverse events grade ≥ 3. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are considered the standard of care in advanced MCC and are currently being investigated in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings. However, innovative treatments are still needed in the metastatic setting, as approximately 50% of these patients will not persistently respond to currently available immunotherapies, and no predictors of response are available yet. Therefore, other immunotherapeutic strategies are now being investigated-ideally in combinations-to enhance the various aspects of the immune response against tumoral cells.
Collapse
|
12
|
Advances in the Understanding of Skin Cancer: Ultraviolet Radiation, Mutations, and Antisense Oligonucleotides as Anticancer Drugs. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081516. [PMID: 30999681 PMCID: PMC6514765 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin cancer has always been and remains the leader among all tumors in terms of occurrence. One of the main factors responsible for skin cancer, natural and artificial UV radiation, causes the mutations that transform healthy cells into cancer cells. These mutations inactivate apoptosis, an event required to avoid the malignant transformation of healthy cells. Among these deadliest of cancers, melanoma and its ‘younger sister’, Merkel cell carcinoma, are the most lethal. The heavy toll of skin cancers stems from their rapid progression and the fact that they metastasize easily. Added to this is the difficulty in determining reliable margins when excising tumors and the lack of effective chemotherapy. Possibly the biggest problem posed by skin cancer is reliably detecting the extent to which cancer cells have spread throughout the body. The initial tumor is visible and can be removed, whereas metastases are invisible to the naked eye and much harder to eliminate. In our opinion, antisense oligonucleotides, which can be used in the form of targeted ointments, provide real hope as a treatment that will eliminate cancer cells near the tumor focus both before and after surgery.
Collapse
|
13
|
Safa F, Pant M, Weerasinghe C, Felix R, Terjanian T. Merkel cell carcinoma masquerading as cellulitis: a case report and review of the literature. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:e106-e112. [PMID: 29507504 DOI: 10.3747/co.25.3836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (mcc) is an uncommon malignancy of the skin arising from cells located in the deeper layers of the epidermis called Merkel cells. This malignancy rarely presents as a metastatic disease, and the field is therefore deficient in regards to management. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman who presented with a presumptive diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the left fifth digit that was resistant to treatment with antibiotics; she underwent debridement of the digit that revealed mcc and was later to have metastatic disease to her lungs, liver, and musculoskeletal system. The management of mcc, although simple in the early stage of the disease, can become challenging when it is more advanced. Multiple new modalities for its treatment have emerged over the last few years, and more recently, clinical trials are being conducted for the use of immunotherapy agents in the treatment of this malignancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Safa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - M Pant
- Department of Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - C Weerasinghe
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, USA; and
| | - R Felix
- Department of Pathology, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - T Terjanian
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, USA; and
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Becker JC, Stang A, Hausen AZ, Fischer N, DeCaprio JA, Tothill RW, Lyngaa R, Hansen UK, Ritter C, Nghiem P, Bichakjian CK, Ugurel S, Schrama D. Epidemiology, biology and therapy of Merkel cell carcinoma: conclusions from the EU project IMMOMEC. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:341-351. [PMID: 29188306 PMCID: PMC6015651 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2099-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive, often lethal neuroendocrine cancer. Its carcinogenesis may be either caused by the clonal integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus into the host genome or by UV-induced mutations. Notably, virally-encoded oncoproteins and UV-induced mutations affect comparable signaling pathways such as RB restriction of cell cycle progression or p53 inactivation. Despite its low incidence, MCC recently received much attention based on its exquisite immunogenicity and the resulting major success of immune modulating therapies. Here, we summarize current knowledge on epidemiology, biology and therapy of MCC as conclusion of the project 'Immune Modulating strategies for treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma', which was funded over a 5-year period by the European Commission to investigate innovative immunotherapies for MCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen C Becker
- Translational Skin Cancer Research (tscr), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital of Essen, Universitätsstrasse 1, S05 T05 B, 45141, Essen, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Stang
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center of Clinical Epidemiology; c/o Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Axel Zur Hausen
- Department of Pathology, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Fischer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Rikke Lyngaa
- Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla Kring Hansen
- George F. Odland Endowed Chair in Dermatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cathrin Ritter
- Translational Skin Cancer Research (tscr), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital of Essen, Universitätsstrasse 1, S05 T05 B, 45141, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Nghiem
- George F. Odland Endowed Chair in Dermatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Selma Ugurel
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer with a neuroendocrine phenotype. Incidence varies according to the geographic regions but is overall increasing. Different risk factors have been identified namely advanced age, immunosuppression, and ultraviolet light exposure. An association between MCC and polyomavirus infection is known. However, the exact mechanism that leads to carcinogenesis is yet to be fully understood. Surgery when feasible is the recommended treatment for localized disease, followed by adjuvant radiation or chemoradiation. In the metastatic setting, chemotherapy has been the standard treatment. However, two recently published trials with immune checkpoint inhibitors in first and second line showed promising results with a tolerable safety profile and these might become the standard therapy shortly. Somatostatin receptors are expressed in many MCC but such expression is not associated with disease severity. Presently there are no biomarkers predictive of response that could help to better select patients to these new therapies, and additional research is essential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Amaral
- Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
- Portuguese Air Force Health Direction, Paço do Lumiar, 1649-020, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ulrike Leiter
- Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Claus Garbe
- Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Banks PD, Sandhu S, Gyorki DE, Johnston ML, Rischin D. Recent Insights and Advances in the Management of Merkel Cell Carcinoma. J Oncol Pract 2017; 12:637-46. [PMID: 27407160 DOI: 10.1200/jop.2016.013367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy with a propensity for recurrence and a poor prognosis. Incidence of MCC is on the rise and is known to increase with advanced age, immunosuppression, and UV exposure. Merkel cell polyomavirus is implicated in the pathogenesis of virus-positive MCC and accounts for 80% of MCCs in the northern hemisphere and 25% in southern latitudes. In contrast, tumorigenesis of virus-negative MCC is linked to UV-induced DNA damage. Interplay between ubiquitous Merkel cell polyomavirus skin infections that commonly occur in healthy skin and other established risk factors, such as immunosuppression and UV exposure, remains poorly understood. Surgery and radiotherapy achieves excellent locoregional control; however, invariably, a significant proportion of patients develop disseminated disease that is incurable. Chemotherapy offers a high response rate for metastatic disease, but responses are short-lived and the impact on survival is not established. Recent advances in our understanding of the genetic landscape and immunobiology of MCC has led to investigation of novel treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are likely to rapidly transform the way we manage these patients. We review epidemiologic, clinical, and histopathologic features of MCC; describe recent insights in MCC biology; and discuss novel therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia D Banks
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shahneen Sandhu
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David E Gyorki
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Danny Rischin
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Barksdale SK. Advances in Merkel cell carcinoma from a pathologist's perspective. Pathology 2017; 49:568-574. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
18
|
Wang L, Harms PW, Palanisamy N, Carskadon S, Cao X, Siddiqui J, Patel RM, Zelenka-Wang S, Durham AB, Fullen DR, Harms KL, Su F, Shukla S, Mehra R, Chinnaiyan AM. Age and Gender Associations of Virus Positivity in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Characterized Using a Novel RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:5622-5630. [PMID: 28606924 PMCID: PMC5600832 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-0299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) plays an oncogenic role in the majority of MCCs. Detection of MCPyV in MCCs has diagnostic utility and prognostic potential. We investigated whether RNAscope, an RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) assay for detection of RNA transcripts in tissues, is useful for MCPyV detection.Experimental Design: We applied an RNAscope probe targeting MCPyV T antigen transcripts on tissue microarrays (TMA) and whole-tissue sections encompassing 87 MCCs from 75 patients, 14 carcinomas of other types, and benign tissues. For comparison, qPCR was performed on 57 cases of MCC from 52 patients.Results: RNA-ISH demonstrated the presence of MCPyV in 37 of 75 cases (49.3%). Notably, tumors from younger patients (<73 years) had a significantly higher virus positivity than those from elderly patients (≥73 years; 64.9% vs. 34.2%, P = 0.011). Female patients had a higher positive rate of MCPyV than male patients (66.7% vs. 39.6%, P = 0.032). Data from both RNA-ISH and qPCR were available for 57 samples. Considering MCPyV qPCR as the gold standard for determining MCPyV status, RNAscope had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. There was a strong correlation between qPCR copy number and RNA-ISH product score (Spearman correlation coefficient R2 = 0.932, P < 0.0001).Conclusions: RNA-ISH is comparably sensitive to qPCR for detection of MCPyV and allows for correlation with tissue morphology. This study also reveals a significant association between age, gender, and MCPyV positivity. Clin Cancer Res; 23(18); 5622-30. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Paul W Harms
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nallasivam Palanisamy
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Xuhong Cao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Javed Siddiqui
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Rajiv M Patel
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sylvia Zelenka-Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Alison B Durham
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Douglas R Fullen
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kelly L Harms
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Fengyun Su
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sudhanshu Shukla
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Rohit Mehra
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sauer CM, Haugg AM, Chteinberg E, Rennspiess D, Winnepenninckx V, Speel EJ, Becker JC, Kurz AK, Zur Hausen A. Reviewing the current evidence supporting early B-cells as the cellular origin of Merkel cell carcinoma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 116:99-105. [PMID: 28693804 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly malignant skin cancer characterized by early metastases and poor survival. Although MCC is a rare malignancy, its incidence is rapidly increasing in the U.S. and Europe. The discovery of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has enormously impacted our understanding of its etiopathogenesis and biology. MCCs are characterized by trilinear differentiation, comprising the expression of neuroendocrine, epithelial and B-lymphoid lineage markers. To date, it is generally accepted that the initial assumption of MCC originating from Merkel cells (MCs) is unlikely. This is owed to their post-mitotic character, absence of MCPyV in MCs and discrepant protein expression pattern in comparison to MCC. Evidence from mouse models suggests that epidermal/dermal stem cells might be of cellular origin in MCC. The recently formulated hypothesis of MCC originating from early B-cells is based on morphology, the consistent expression of early B-cell lineage markers and the finding of clonal immunoglobulin chain rearrangement in MCC cells. In this review we elaborate on the cellular ancestry of MCC, the identification of which could pave the way for novel and more effective therapeutic regimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C M Sauer
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - A M Haugg
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - E Chteinberg
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - D Rennspiess
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - V Winnepenninckx
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - E-J Speel
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J C Becker
- Department for Translational Dermato-Oncology (DKTK), Center for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - A K Kurz
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - A Zur Hausen
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Veija T, Koljonen V, Bohling T, Kero M, Knuutila S, Sarhadi VK. Aberrant expression of ALK and EZH2 in Merkel cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:236. [PMID: 28359267 PMCID: PMC5374569 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3233-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Distinct characteristic features categorize Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) into two subgroups according to the Merkel cell polyomavirus infection. Many mutational studies on MCC have been carried out in recent years without identifying a prominent driver mutation. However, there is paucity reporting the expression of cancer genes at the RNA level in MCC tumors. In this study, we studied the RNA expression profiles of 26 MCC tumors, with a goal to identify prospective molecular targets that could improve the treatment strategies of MCC. METHODS RNA expression of 50 cancer-related genes in 26 MCC tumors was analyzed by targeted amplicon based next-generation sequencing using the Ion Torrent technology and the expression compared with that of normal, non-cancerous skin samples. Sequencing data were processed using Torrent Suite™ Software. Expression profiles of MCV-negative and MCV-positive tumors were compared. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to study ALK rearrangements and immunohistochemistry to study ALK expression in tumor tissue. RESULTS ALK, CDKN2A, EZH2 and ERBB4 were overexpressed, and EGFR, ERBB2, PDGFRA and FGFR1 were underexpressed in MCC tumors compared to normal skin. In the MCV-negative tumors, MET, NOTCH1, FGFR3, and SMO were overexpressed and JAK3 and NPM1 were under-expressed compared to the MCV-positive tumors. CONCLUSIONS High expression of ALK, CDKN2A and EZH2 was recorded in MCC tumors. No ALK fusion was seen by FISH analysis. Overexpression of EZH2 suggests its potential as a drug target in MCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuukka Veija
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Virve Koljonen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Topeliuksenkatu 5, P.O. Box 266, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tom Bohling
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 3, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mia Kero
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 3, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sakari Knuutila
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Virinder Kaur Sarhadi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Merkel cell polyomavirus and cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma. Future Sci OA 2017; 2:FSO155. [PMID: 28116137 PMCID: PMC5242196 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2016-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
|
22
|
Prognostic relevance of high atonal homolog-1 expression in Merkel cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2016; 143:43-49. [PMID: 27624714 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-016-2257-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has recently been reported that atonal homolog 1 (ATOH1) gene is down-regulated in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and thus may represent a tumor suppressor gene. OBJECTIVES We aimed to test for ATOH1 gene mutations and expression levels in MCC tissues and cell lines. METHODS Genomic DNA isolation and amplification via PCR was successfully performed in 33 MCCs on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue and three MCC cell lines, followed by Sanger sequencing of the whole ATOH1 gene to detect genomic aberrations. ATOH1 mRNA levels were determined by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry of ATOH1 was performed to quantify protein expression in tumor samples and cell lines. RESULTS Neither in any of the 33 MCC tissue samples nor in the three cell lines ATOH1 mutations were present. ATOH1 was expressed in all lesions, albeit at different expression levels. Univariate analysis revealed that the total immunohistology score significantly correlated with the occurrence of tumor relapse (r = 0.57; P = 0.0008). This notion was confirmed in multivariate analysis suggesting that ATOH1 expression is a potential independent predictor for tumor relapse in MCC patients (P = 0.028). MCC-related death also correlated with ATOH1 expression (r = 0.4; P = 0.025); however, ATOH1 expression did not retain its predictive value in the regression model. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to anecdotal reports ATOH1 expression is not lost by genetic alterations in MCC. However, protein expression of ATOH1 is increased in advanced MCC indicating that ATOH1 is involved in MCC progression.
Collapse
|
23
|
Cohen PR, Tomson BN, Elkin SK, Marchlik E, Carter JL, Kurzrock R. Genomic portfolio of Merkel cell carcinoma as determined by comprehensive genomic profiling: implications for targeted therapeutics. Oncotarget 2016; 7:23454-67. [PMID: 26981779 PMCID: PMC5029639 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma is an ultra-rare cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer for which approved treatment options are lacking. To better understand potential actionability, the genomic landscape of Merkel cell cancers was assessed. The molecular aberrations in 17 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma were, on physician request, tested in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) laboratory (Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, MA) using next-generation sequencing (182 or 236 genes) and analyzed by N-of-One, Inc. (Lexington, MA). There were 30 genes harboring aberrations and 60 distinct molecular alterations identified in this patient population. The most common abnormalities involved the TP53 gene (12/17 [71% of patients]) and the cell cycle pathway (CDKN2A/B, CDKN2C or RB1) (12/17 [71%]). Abnormalities also were observed in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway (AKT2, FBXW7, NF1, PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PTEN or RICTOR) (9/17 [53%]) and DNA repair genes (ATM, BAP1, BRCA1/2, CHEK2, FANCA or MLH1) (5/17 [29%]). Possible cognate targeted therapies, including FDA-approved drugs, could be identified in most of the patients (16/17 [94%]). In summary, Merkel cell carcinomas were characterized by multiple distinct aberrations that were unique in the majority of analyzed cases. Most patients had theoretically actionable alterations. These results provide a framework for investigating tailored combinations of matched therapies in Merkel cell carcinoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip R. Cohen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tothill R, Estall V, Rischin D. Merkel cell carcinoma: emerging biology, current approaches, and future directions. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2016:e519-26. [PMID: 25993218 DOI: 10.14694/edbook_am.2015.35.e519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous cancer that predominantly occurs in patients who are older, and is associated with a high rate of distant failure and mortality. Current management strategies that incorporate surgery and radiotherapy achieve high rates of locoregional control, but distant failure rates remain problematic, highlighting the need for new effective systemic therapies. Chemotherapy can achieve high response rates of limited duration in the metastatic setting, but its role in definitive management remains unproven. Recent developments in our knowledge about the biology of MCC have led to the identification of new potential therapeutic targets and treatments. A key finding has been the discovery that a human polyomavirus may be a causative agent. However, emerging data suggests that MCC may actually be two distinct entities, viral-associated and viral-negative MCC, which is likely to have implications for the management of MCC in the future and for the development of new treatments. In this review, we discuss recent discoveries about the biology of MCC, current approaches to management, and new therapeutic strategies that are being investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Tothill
- From the Division of Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology and Skin and Melanoma Tumour Stream, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Division of Cancer Medicine, and Head and Neck Tumour Stream, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology and Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vanessa Estall
- From the Division of Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology and Skin and Melanoma Tumour Stream, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Division of Cancer Medicine, and Head and Neck Tumour Stream, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology and Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Danny Rischin
- From the Division of Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology and Skin and Melanoma Tumour Stream, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and the Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Division of Cancer Medicine, and Head and Neck Tumour Stream, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology and Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Veija T, Sarhadi VK, Koljonen V, Bohling T, Knuutila S. Hotspot mutations in polyomavirus positive and negative Merkel cell carcinomas. Cancer Genet 2016; 209:30-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
26
|
Lin Z, Mei H, Fan J, Yin Z, Wu G. Effect of the dual phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 against human Merkel cell carcinoma MKL-1 cells. Oncol Lett 2015; 10:3663-3667. [PMID: 26788188 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer with an increasing incidence. Aberrant activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is common in human cancers and has been revealed to play an important function in cell proliferation, metabolism and tumorigenesis. In the present study, NVP-BEZ235, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, was revealed to be effective in inhibiting proliferation and inducing cell cycle arrest in MKL-1 cells. Additional investigations revealed that NVP-BEZ235 attenuated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and upregulated the levels of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27. Overall, the present results possess considerable implications for future development of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor as potential agents in the management of MCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Lin
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Hong Mei
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Jiquan Fan
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Zhongyuan Yin
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Gang Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Harms PW, Vats P, Verhaegen ME, Robinson DR, Wu YM, Dhanasekaran SM, Palanisamy N, Siddiqui J, Cao X, Su F, Wang R, Xiao H, Kunju LP, Mehra R, Tomlins SA, Fullen DR, Bichakjian CK, Johnson TM, Dlugosz AA, Chinnaiyan AM. The Distinctive Mutational Spectra of Polyomavirus-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2015. [PMID: 26238782 DOI: 10.1158/0008‐5472.can‐15‐0702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) may contribute to tumorigenesis in a subset of tumors via inhibition of tumor suppressors such as retinoblastoma (RB1) by mutated viral T antigens, but the molecular pathogenesis of MCPyV-negative MCC is largely unexplored. Through our MI-ONCOSEQ precision oncology study, we performed integrative sequencing on two cases of MCPyV-negative MCC, as well as a validation cohort of 14 additional MCC cases (n = 16). In addition to previously identified mutations in TP53, RB1, and PIK3CA, we discovered activating mutations of oncogenes, including HRAS and loss-of-function mutations in PRUNE2 and NOTCH family genes in MCPyV-negative MCC. MCPyV-negative tumors also displayed high overall mutation burden (10.09 ± 2.32 mutations/Mb) and were characterized by a prominent UV-signature pattern with C > T transitions comprising 85% of mutations. In contrast, mutation burden was low in MCPyV-positive tumors (0.40 ± 0.09 mutations/Mb) and lacked a UV signature. These findings suggest a potential ontologic dichotomy in MCC, characterized by either viral-dependent or UV-dependent tumorigenic pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul William Harms
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Pankaj Vats
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Biomedical Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | | | - Dan R Robinson
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Yi-Mi Wu
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | | | - Nallasivam Palanisamy
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
| | - Javed Siddiqui
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Xuhong Cao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109,USA
| | - Fengyun Su
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Rui Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Hong Xiao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
| | - Lakshmi P Kunju
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Rohit Mehra
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
| | - Scott A Tomlins
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Douglas Randall Fullen
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | | | | | - Andrzej Antoni Dlugosz
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109,USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Nguyen HP, Pickrell BB, Tschen JA, He Q, Rady PL, Tyring SK. Distinct gene expression profiles in two cases of Merkel cell polyomavirus-negative Merkel cell carcinoma: shedding light on an esoteric entity. Int J Dermatol 2015; 54:e549-51. [PMID: 26341375 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harrison P Nguyen
- Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Brent B Pickrell
- Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jaime A Tschen
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qin He
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter L Rady
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephen K Tyring
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Harms PW, Vats P, Verhaegen ME, Robinson DR, Wu YM, Dhanasekaran SM, Palanisamy N, Siddiqui J, Cao X, Su F, Wang R, Xiao H, Kunju LP, Mehra R, Tomlins SA, Fullen DR, Bichakjian CK, Johnson TM, Dlugosz AA, Chinnaiyan AM. The Distinctive Mutational Spectra of Polyomavirus-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2015; 75:3720-3727. [PMID: 26238782 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-0702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) may contribute to tumorigenesis in a subset of tumors via inhibition of tumor suppressors such as retinoblastoma (RB1) by mutated viral T antigens, but the molecular pathogenesis of MCPyV-negative MCC is largely unexplored. Through our MI-ONCOSEQ precision oncology study, we performed integrative sequencing on two cases of MCPyV-negative MCC, as well as a validation cohort of 14 additional MCC cases (n = 16). In addition to previously identified mutations in TP53, RB1, and PIK3CA, we discovered activating mutations of oncogenes, including HRAS and loss-of-function mutations in PRUNE2 and NOTCH family genes in MCPyV-negative MCC. MCPyV-negative tumors also displayed high overall mutation burden (10.09 ± 2.32 mutations/Mb) and were characterized by a prominent UV-signature pattern with C > T transitions comprising 85% of mutations. In contrast, mutation burden was low in MCPyV-positive tumors (0.40 ± 0.09 mutations/Mb) and lacked a UV signature. These findings suggest a potential ontologic dichotomy in MCC, characterized by either viral-dependent or UV-dependent tumorigenic pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul William Harms
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Pankaj Vats
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Biomedical Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | | | - Dan R Robinson
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Yi-Mi Wu
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | | | - Nallasivam Palanisamy
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
| | - Javed Siddiqui
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Xuhong Cao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109,USA
| | - Fengyun Su
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Rui Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Hong Xiao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
| | - Lakshmi P Kunju
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Rohit Mehra
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
| | - Scott A Tomlins
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Douglas Randall Fullen
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School
| | | | | | - Andrzej Antoni Dlugosz
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109,USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Rekhi B, Kane SV, Jambhekar NA. Clinicopathological spectrum of a series of Merkel cell carcinomas diagnosed at a tertiary cancer referral center in India, with current concepts. Ann Diagn Pathol 2015; 19:341-6. [PMID: 26254510 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, clinically aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. The present series describes clinicopathological features of 16 MCCs diagnosed at a tertiary cancer referral center. Sixteen MCCs occurred in 10 men and 6 women (M/F = 1.6:1), between the ages 37 and 74 years (mean, 58.3; median, 58.6), commonly in lower extremities (7) (43.7%) and head and neck sites (5) (31.2%), followed by upper extremities (3) (18.7%) and abdominal wall (1). Tumor size varied from 0.5 to 9.9 cm. Histopathologically, most tumors were composed of round to oval cells, mostly arranged diffusely with hyperchromatic nuclei, including "sudden" pleomorphism in some tumors. Variable features included coexisting Bowen disease (2/16), along with squamous, pseudoglandular, and rhabdomyoblastic dedifferentiation, all in a single tumor. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for at least a single epithelial marker in all 16 cases (100%) cases, including CK20, mostly paranuclear "dot-like" (12/13, 92.3%); CK (8/9, 88.8%), AE1/AE3 (3/3, 100%), and CK7 (1/6, 16.6%), along with neuroendocrine markers (16/16, 100%), including synaptophysin (11/13, 84.6%), chromogranin (12/15, 80%), and CD56 (4/4, 100%). Among other immunohistochemical markers, positive CKIT/CD117 was positive in 3 of 3 tumors. Surgical resection was performed in 11 (100%) of 11 cases, with adjuvant chemotherapy offered in a single case. Two cases with large-sized tumors, along with another case developed lymph node metastasis, including 1 who later developed pulmonary metastasis. Two patients were free of disease and 2 were alive with disease. Merkel cell carcinomas exhibit a diverse histopathological spectrum, including coexisting Bowen disease and, rarely, rhabdomyoblastic dedifferentiation, in some cases. Optimal immunohistochemical markers include CK20, synaptophysin, chromogranin, and CD56 for a timely diagnosis. Surgical resection is the treatment mainstay. Large-sized tumors and MCCs showing dedifferentiation portend a relatively more aggressive clinical course. Other recent developments in this tumor are discussed herewith.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Rekhi
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India.
| | - Shubada V Kane
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cohen PR, Kurzrock R. Merkel Cell Carcinoma with a Suppressor of Fused (SUFU) Mutation: Case Report and Potential Therapeutic Implications. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2015; 5:129-43. [PMID: 25876211 PMCID: PMC4470960 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-015-0074-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Merkel cell carcinoma is a neuroendocrine malignancy. Suppressor of fused (SUFU) is a tumor suppressor oncogene that participates in the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. The aim of the study was to describe a patient whose Merkel cell carcinoma demonstrated a SUFU genomic alteration. Case Study The Hh signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of several tumors, including nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome that is associated with an alteration of the patched-1 (PTCH1) gene. Targeted molecular therapy against smoothened (SMO) with vismodegib has been shown to be an effective therapeutic intervention for patients with PTCH-1 mutation. The reported patient was presented with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. Analysis of his tumor, using a next-generation sequencing-based assay, demonstrated a genomic aberration of SUFU protein, a component of the Hh signaling pathway that acts downstream to SMO and, therefore, is unlikely to be responsive to vismodegib. Of interest, arsenic trioxide or bromo and extra C-terminal inhibitors impact signals downstream to SUFU, making this aberration conceivably druggable. His tumor has initially been managed with chemotherapy (carboplatin and etoposide) and subsequent radiation therapy is planned. Conclusion The pathogenesis of Merkel cell carcinoma is multifactorial, and related to ultraviolet radiation exposure, immunosuppression, and Merkel cell polyomavirus. We report a patient with a mutation in SUFU, a potentially actionable component of the Hh signaling pathway. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13555-015-0074-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip R Cohen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA,
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
LV XIUPENG, TAN GUANG, YAO YIQUN, LV LI, DENG XIAOQIN, DONG LEI, LI SHUANG, LI LINLIN, XU YINGHUI. Somatic mutations in myeloid cell leukemia-1 contribute to the pathogenesis of glioma by prolonging its half-life. Mol Med Rep 2012; 12:1265-71. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
|