Prevalence of MCPyV in Merkel cell carcinoma and non-MCC tumors.
BACKGROUND
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the likely causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, the prevalence of MCPyV in non-MCC population and its possible role in the pathogenesis of other skin cancers are not known yet.


METHODS
A molecular pathology study was performed in 33 MCC samples and 33 age- and sex-matched samples of sun exposed non-MCC tumors [12 seborrheic keratoses (SK), 11 basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and 10 lentigo maligna melanomas (LMM)]. All tumors were analyzed for presence of MCPyV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern-Blot hybridization of PCR products.


RESULTS
MCPyV sequences were detected in 21 MCC samples (64%) and in 2 non-MCC tumors of sun exposed skin (6%; both SK-patients). Neither the tissue samples from BCC nor LMM proved positive for MCPyV sequences.


CONCLUSIONS
We were able to confirm prior data on prevalence of MCPyV-DNA in MCC. Furthermore, a female predominance of MCPyV-positive MCC-patients was detected. There was no relevant association of MCPyV with SK, BCC and LMM. Speculative, prevalence of MCPyV in an age- and sex-matched non-MCC population could average up to 6%.
Andres
Christian
C
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Belloni
Benedetta
B
Puchta
Ursula
U
Sander
Christian A
CA
Flaig
Michael J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D017492:Keratosis, Seborrheic / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018295:Neoplasms, Basal Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015595:Skin Aging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004279:DNA, Viral