Merkel Cell Carcinoma is a relatively rare, but highly aggressive type of skin cancer. Discovered in 2008, it is typically caused by a virus known as Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV). At times, the disease may be known as APUDoma, a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, or primary small cell carcinoma. However, from a pathological perspective, 80% of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) are called by the polyomavirus. Interestingly, the virus has a clonal integration into the cancerous cells, and a particular mutation only when in the cancerous cell, not a healthy skin cell. No other cancers have been confirmed to be caused by this virus, and because of the viral origin of the cancer, immunotherapies are one of the most promising avenues for treating virus-positive MCC. However, at present, little is known regarding the virus-host interactions from a biochemical perspective. Research does show, though, that a new function of the MCPyV small T-Antigen (ST) may serve as an inhibitor of transcription and provide a promising therapy for the condition (Griffiths, et al., 2013). Due to the nature of the MCPyV, there...
Research does indicate that these antigens are important parts of the molecular mechanisms within cell death and cancer development, but are yet to be fully explained.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Griffiths, D., et al. (2013). Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Small T. Antigen Targets the EMO Adaptor Protein To Disrupt Inflammatory Signaling. Journal of Virology. 87 (24), 13853-67. Merkel cell carcinoma is a relatively rare disease in which malignant cells form in the skin, usually in individuals who have a weak immune system or extensive exposure to the sun. Merkel cells are found in the top (epidermis) layer of the skin, close
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