Vitamin D deficiency is associated with greater tumor size and poorer outcome in Merkel cell carcinoma patients. (1st February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Samimi, M.; Touzé, A.; Laude, H.; Le, E.; Arnold, F.; Carpentier, A.; Gardair, C.; Carlotti, A.; Maubec, E.; Dupin, N.; Aubin, F.; Avril, M.F.; Rozenberg, F.; Avenel‐Audran, M.; Guyetant, S.; Lorette, G.; Machet, L.; Coursaget, P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Volume 28:Number 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 308
• Publication Date: 2013-02-01
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0926-9959

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jdv12101-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jdv12101-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Merkel cell polyomavirus has been recognized to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), but the evolution of this cancer probably depends on various factors. Vitamin D deficiency, defined by serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels <50 nmol/L, seems to influence cancer behavior and progression, but has never been assessed in MCC patients.</p> </sec> <sec id="jdv12101-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>First, to evaluate whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with tumor characteristics and prognosis in a cohort of MCC patients. Second, to assess expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in MCC tumors.</p> </sec> <sec id="jdv12101-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Clinical findings, Merkel cell polyomavirus markers and vitamin D status were assessed in a cohort of French MCC patients. The study was limited to the 89 patients for whom the serum sample had been collected within 3 years after the diagnosis of MCC. Correlation between vitamin D deficiency and MCC characteristics and outcome were determined in regression analyses. VDR expression in MCC tumours was assessed by immunohistochemistry.</p> </sec> <sec id="jdv12101-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Vitamin D deficiency was noted in 65.1% of the patients and was independently associated with greater tumor size at diagnosis (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.006) and with metastasis recurrence (HR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.03 to 8.13; <italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.043), but not with death from MCC, although there was a trend (HR, 5.28; 95% CI, 0.75 to 36.96; <italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.093). VDR was found to be strongly expressed in all 28 MCC tumor specimens investigated.</p> </sec> <sec id="jdv12101-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The association between vitamin D deficiency and MCC characteristics and outcome, together with detection of the VDR in MCC cells, suggest that vitamin D could influence the biology of MCC.</p> </sec> </abstract>