Merkel cell carcinoma: more deaths but still no pathway to blame.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neuroendocrine skin cancer with a rising incidence (1500 U.S. cases per year) that now exceeds that of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and a mortality (33%) exceeding that of melanoma. Despite this impact, little is known about its biology. Recent studies have shown that Ras/MAP kinase activity is absent and possibly detrimental to this cancer. This makes MCC distinct from other UV--induced skin cancers and highlights the question of what drives this malignancy.
Lemos
Bianca
B
University of Washington Dermatology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.
Nghiem
Paul
P
D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008938:Mitosis; D009154:Mutation; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014481:United States