Case-control study of Merkel cell polyomavirus infection and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) DNA has been reported in 0% to 25% of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) occurring in immunocompetent individuals. We conducted the first serologic case-control study of MCV and SCC.


METHODS
Patients with histologically confirmed cutaneous SCC (n = 173) were recruited from a university dermatology clinic. Controls were individuals who screened negative for and had no history of skin or other cancers (n = 300). Levels of antibodies against capsid antigens for MCV and another polyomavirus, JC virus (JCV), were determined by fluorescent bead-based multiplex serology. Fresh-frozen tumor tissues were obtained from 145 SCC cases and tested for MCV DNA by multiplexed PCR. Associations between MCV seroreactivity and SCC were estimated by ORs and 95% CIs calculated using logistic regression with adjustment for age and sex.


RESULTS
MCV DNA was detected in SCC tumor tissues from 55 (38%) of 145 cases. A statistically significant association was observed between MCV seropositivity and MCV DNA-positive SCC (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.03-6.04), with an almost four-fold association observed when comparing those with MCV antibodies in the fourth versus first quartiles (OR = 3.93, 95% CI = 1.43-10.76, P(trend) = 0.01). No significant associations were observed between MCV seropositivity and MCV DNA-negative SCC (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.76-2.48) or between JCV seropositivity and MCV DNA-positive or DNA-negative SCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Past exposure to MCV may be a risk factor for SCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the role of viral infections in the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer could lead to novel prevention strategies.
Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33647, USA. dana.rollison@moffitt.org
Dana E
DE
Rollison
Anna R
AR
Giuliano
Jane L
JL
Messina
Neil A
NA
Fenske
Basil S
BS
Cherpelis
Vernon K
VK
Sondak
Richard G
RG
Roetzheim
Michelle R
MR
Iannacone
Kristina M
KM
Michael
Tarik
T
Gheit
Tim
T
Waterboer
Massimo
M
Tommasino
Michael
M
Pawlita
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult