Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer. It is the first human cancer known to be associated with a polyomavirus. The vast majority of publications are case reports. Our goal is to discuss practical suggestions for the treatment, based on our clinical experience and a review of the literature. Surgery is the initial treatment of choice. Radiotherapy is used as primary or adjuvant treatment. The chemotherapeutic approach follows that of neuroendocrine neoplasms, using cisplatin and etoposide. Researchers are looking into other active drugs which have been used for melanoma including temozolomide, and PD-1 inhibitors. Scientists are studying mutations in MCC to identify potential targets for more effective systemic treatments. We hope this review will be useful for clinicians to apply current principles and provide food for thought to improve treatment outcomes.
Keywords: Chemotherapy, polyomavirus, radiotherapy, surgery.
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews
Title:Merkel Cell Carcinoma – Current State and the Future
Volume: 12 Issue: 2
Author(s): Patricia Tai, Khanh Vu, Vamsee Torri, Derek Suderman and Arbind Dubey
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chemotherapy, polyomavirus, radiotherapy, surgery.
Abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer. It is the first human cancer known to be associated with a polyomavirus. The vast majority of publications are case reports. Our goal is to discuss practical suggestions for the treatment, based on our clinical experience and a review of the literature. Surgery is the initial treatment of choice. Radiotherapy is used as primary or adjuvant treatment. The chemotherapeutic approach follows that of neuroendocrine neoplasms, using cisplatin and etoposide. Researchers are looking into other active drugs which have been used for melanoma including temozolomide, and PD-1 inhibitors. Scientists are studying mutations in MCC to identify potential targets for more effective systemic treatments. We hope this review will be useful for clinicians to apply current principles and provide food for thought to improve treatment outcomes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Tai Patricia, Vu Khanh, Torri Vamsee, Suderman Derek and Dubey Arbind, Merkel Cell Carcinoma – Current State and the Future, Current Cancer Therapy Reviews 2016; 12 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573394712666160921153207
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573394712666160921153207 |
Print ISSN 1573-3947 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6301 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Toll-Like Receptors and their Role in Hematologic Malignancies
Current Molecular Medicine The Role of E-Cadherin Down-Regulation in Oral Cancer: CDH1 Gene Expression and Epigenetic Blockage
Current Cancer Drug Targets Preclinical Evaluation of a Zinc Finger Inhibitor Targeting Lentivirus Nucleocapsid Protein in SIV-Infected Monkeys
Current HIV Research Effects of Amine Oxidases in Allergic and Histamine-Mediated Conditions
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery B7-H3 Immune Checkpoint Protein in Human Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Irinotecan for Treatment of Childhood Cancers: A Promising Therapeutic Partner
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Targeting Drugs Against Fibroblast Growth Factor(s)-Induced Cell Signaling
Current Drug Targets Luminescent Quantum Dots: A Very Attractive and Promising Tool in Biomedicine
Current Medicinal Chemistry Ferroquine: A New Weapon in the Fight Against Malaria
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Infective Agents The Role of Cytochrome P450 in Cytotoxic Bioactivation: Future Therapeutic Directions
Current Cancer Drug Targets ICE Regimen for Relapsed/Refractory Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Children
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Interleukin-6 In Rheumatoid Arthritis - From The Laboratory To The Bedside
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances in the Development of Catalytic Inhibitors of Human DNA Topoisomerase IIα As Novel Anticancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Meridianins: Marine-Derived Potent Kinase Inhibitors
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Targeting MDM4 as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Hematologic Malignancies
Current Cancer Drug Targets Angiogenesis Inhibitors: Current & Future Directions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Computational Studies of HIV-1 Integrase and its Inhibitors
Current Computer-Aided Drug Design Therapeutic Use of Calcitriol
Current Vascular Pharmacology Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in Cancer: Clinical Implications
Current Pharmaceutical Design γ-H2AX as a Therapeutic Target for Improving the Efficacy of Radiation Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets