Current concepts and approaches to merkel cell carcinoma. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive and rare cutaneous cancer of the mechanoreceptor unit of the skin with a neuroendocrine origin. MCC incidence has been on the rise over the past two decades. Risk factors include old age, chronic UV exposure, and immunosuppression. Although MCC is a cutaneous malignancy that is often misdiagnosed as a benign nodule at the time of diagnosis, it has an aggressive disease course due to its high recurrence and metastatic potential. The PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade has recently shown promising results in the management of advanced MCC. Avelumab and pembrolizumab are considered the new standard of care for metastatic MCC. Despite advances in the field, studies are needed to elucidate the role of immunotherapy for patients who are resistant to treatment. Most ongoing clinical trials aim to assess the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor combination therapies. This article reviews the most current literature on the surgical and medical management of MCC.

publication date

  • July 14, 2020

Research

keywords

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell
  • Mohs Surgery
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Skin Neoplasms

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85087919991

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.06.034

PubMed ID

  • 32666149

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 313

issue

  • 3