Merkel cell polyomavirus

Molecular alterations underlying the development and progression of Merkel cell carcinomas are poorly understood. Recently, Feng and coworkers reported the identification of a fifth human polyoma virus that was designated Merkel cell polyomavirus on the basis of its detection in Merkel cell carcinomas. A subsequent study by Kassem and colleagues analyzed 39 Merkel cell carcinomas and found the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus DNA in 77% of cases. This study was limited in that the use of formalin-fixed paraffin tissues... 

Kassem A, Schopflin A, Diaz C, et al. Frequent detection of Merkel cell polyomavirus in human Merkel cell carcinomas and identification of a unique deletion in the VPlgene. Cancer Res. 2008 68 5009-5013. 

Horvath KB, Pankovics P, Battyani Z, Kalman E, Reuter G. A probable etiological role for Merkel cell polyomavirus in the development of Merkel cell carcinoma. Orvosi Hetilap (Budapest). 2013 154 102-12. 

Iyer JG, Afanasiev OK, McClurkan C, Paulson K, Nagase K, Jing L, Marshak JO, Dong L, Carter J, Lai I, Farrar E, 6)00 D, Galloway D, Yee C, Koelle DM, Nghiem P. Merkel cell polyomavirus-specific CD8-I- and CD4-I- T-cell responses identified in Merkel cell carcinomas and blood. Clin Cancer Res. 2011 17 6671-80. 

Feng H, Shuda M, Chang Y, et al. Clonal integration of a polyomavirus in human Merkel cell carcinoma. Science. 2008 319 1096-1100. 

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