Onkológia 2/2020

Treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer associated with advanced age and immunosuppression. Over the last decade, it has been discovered that MCC tumors are associated with either integrated Merkel cell polyomavirus, which likely drives tumorigenesis, or a high burden of UV-induced somatic mutations. Both virus-positive and virus-negative MCC tumors are immunogenic and PD-(L)1 checkpoint blockade has proven to be highly effective in treating most patients with metastatic MCC; however, about 50% of treated patients do not experience long term tumor control. Despite these rapid advances in the understanding and management of MCC, many basic, translational, and clinical research questions remain.

Keywords: Merkel cell carcinoma, chemotherapy, imunotherapy, avelumab