title: Molecular characteristics and potential therapeutic targets in Merkel cell carcinoma.
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin tumour occurring preferentially in elderly and immunosuppressed individuals. Multiple studies have provided insight into the molecular alterations of MCC, leading to the design of several ongoing clinical trials testing chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. The results of some of these studies are available, whereas others are eagerly awaited and will likely shed light on the understanding of MCC biology and potentially improve the clinical outcomes of patients with this rare disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Shakuntala H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mauzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrarotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Torres-Cabala
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Tetzlaff
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Victor G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Phyu P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Aung
mesh_terms: D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: CARCINOMA; DERMATOPATHOLOGY; NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOURS; SKIN