title: Merkel cell polyomavirus detection in Merkel cell cancer tumors in Northern Germany using PCR and protein expression.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma is a highly malignant skin cancer which predominantly occurs in elderly and immunocompromised persons. The identification of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has inaugurated a new understanding of Merkel cell carcinoma pathogenesis. The frequent detection of the virus in Merkel cell carcinoma tissue (70-90%), its monoclonal integration in the tumor cells and the expression of viral oncogenes highly suggest that MCPyV is causally linked to the pathogenesis of the majority of Merkel cell cancer (MCC) cases. Using qualitative and quantitative PCR together with immunohistochemical staining this study aimed at characterizing the presence of MCPyV sequences and viral early gene expression in a cohort of MCC cases (n = 32) selected in Northern Germany. 40-57% of the cases were identified as MCPyV positive with 40.6% of the cases positive by immunohistochemical staining and 51.6-57.6% positive by PCR. Interestingly, in the majority (64%) of LT-Antigen positive tumors only 25-50% of tumor cells express LT-Antigen. These data are in accord with published studies describing heterogeneity in MCPyV viral loads and suggest that detection of MCPyV in Merkel cell carcinoma by PCR should be undertaken using multiple primer pairs.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Microbiology and Virology, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leitz
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stieler
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grundhoff
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: Johanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brandner
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins
keywords: LT-Antigen expression; Merkel cell cancer; Merkel cell polyomavirus; immunohistochemistry; polyomavirus and skin cancer