Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Epidemiology, Target, and Therapy
There is no evidence-based effective chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic MCC.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin with a rising incidence. MCC has metastatic potential regardless the size of the primary tumor and a 5-year disease associated mortality rate is 46 %. Surgery and radiation are the mainstays of management for primary MCC. There is no evidence-based effective chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic diseases to date. In‑depth mechanistic studies in MCC have uncovered important cellular events and the association with a polyomavirus, which has provided direct evidence for molecular targeted and immunotherapy. Further perspective studies and clinical trials are warranted to provide reliable evidence of possible pitfalls and effectiveness of molecular targeted immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy in MCC.
MCC is a rare but aggressive skin cancer with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. The absence of effective systemic chemotherapy highlights an unmet clinical need and underscores the urgency for developing targeted and immunotherapeutic strategies, which may improve survival outcomes for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease.
Evidence level: Állatkísérletes. Állatmodellben vizsgálták.
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