Significant overexpression of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) large T antigen in Merkel cell carcinoma. Issue 2 (6th February 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Erovic, Boban M.; Al Habeeb, Ayman; Harris, Luke; Goldstein, David P.; Ghazarian, Danny; Irish, Jonathan C.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 35:Issue 2(2013:Feb.)
• Page Start: 184
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2012-02-06
• Subjects: Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.22942
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1-1" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The purpose of this study was to determine the expression pattern of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) large T‐protein antigen in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-2" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A tissue microarray (TMA) containing 30 specimens was constructed and stained for the MCPyV large T protein. Immunohistochemical expression was determined semiquantitively and was compared to patients' outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-3" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Nuclear expression of MCPyV large T protein was detected in 29 of 30 specimens (97%). In particular, 60% to 100%, 30% to 60%, and 10% to 30% of tumor cells were positive in 27 specimens (90%), 1 (3%), and 1 (3%), respectively. There was no difference in positivity between primary and metastatic lesions. Clinical data could not be correlated to MCPyV large T‐protein expression.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-4" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>MCPyV large T protein was significantly overexpressed in 97% of all specimens. Although we could not demonstrate a predictive effect, MCPyV large T protein may represent a molecular marker with utility in pathological diagnosis as well as a potential new therapeutic target in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>