Merkel cell carcinoma: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy

@article{Amaral2017MerkelCC,
  title={Merkel cell carcinoma: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy},
  author={Teresa Amaral and Ulrike Leiter and Claus Garbe},
  journal={Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders},
  year={2017},
  volume={18},
  pages={517-532}
}
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… 
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42 Citations

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Therapeutic Update and Emerging Therapies
TLDR
The use of checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) has shown good results in the treatment of advanced MCC and, consequently, CPIs are considered emerging immunotherapeutic options for these patients, although there are still no standardized treatments for patients with metastatic disease.
Recent Therapeutic Advances and Change in Treatment Paradigm of Patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
TLDR
Current evidence and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of MCC are reviewed and recent therapeutic advances and their implications for care are discussed, with immunotherapy becoming the new standard of care in advanced MCC.
New perspectives in Merkel cell carcinoma
TLDR
Intervention targeting the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD1)/PDL1) immune checkpoint blockade is currently being investigated in the treatment of metastatic MCC.
Merkel cell carcinoma
TLDR
Avelumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the programmed death‐1 receptor, has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and provides an option for treating metastatic carcinoma in adults after they have failed ≥ 1 line of chemotherapy for metastatic disease.
Burden of Disease, Early Diagnosis, and Treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Latin America
TLDR
The purpose of this work is to briefly review the features and treatment of MCC so that health care providers and policymakers are familiar with the disease and recognize the current limitations in Latin America that are barriers to improved outcomes.
Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid: A review.
Merkel cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review
TLDR
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, but highly aggressive, malignant neuroendocrine tumor, with a higher prevalence in men, Caucasians, and the elderly, and it is related to ultraviolet radiation, immunosuppression, and polyomavirus infection.
Merkel cell carcinoma in the community setting: a case report
TLDR
The case of a female in her 90s presenting with a classic MCC primary lesion, as well as satellite lesions proximal to both the primary and the draining regional lymph nodes with no evidence of nodal involvement are discussed.
RB1 gene mutations are a distinct predictive factor in Merkel cell carcinoma
TLDR
This work aimed to determine the developmental origins of MCC and to identify prognostic clinicopathologic factors and RB1 alterations may be used to access the aggressive clinical course of M CC.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Changing Practice Patterns and Impact on Recurrence-Free and Overall Survival at a Single Institution and Nationally
TLDR
Changing practice patterns in MCC management have been driven by the adoption of immunotherapy, highlighting that competing risks of mortality in Mcc patients likely prevents OS from being an accurate surrogate outcome measure to understand factors associated with DSS.
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TLDR
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TLDR
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TLDR
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