title: [Merkel cell carcinoma: cutaneous manifestation of a highly malignant pre-/pro-B cell neoplasia? : Novel concept about the cellular origin of Merkel cell carcinoma].
abstract: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a relatively rare but highly malignant non-melanoma skin cancer of the elderly and immunosuppressed patients. The discovery of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in 2008 significantly impacted the understanding of the etiopathogenesis of MCC. MCPyV is clonally integrated into the MCC genome and approximately 80% of MCC are MCPyV-positive. Recent results of clinical trials using blockade of the PD-1 immune modulatory pathway are promising for the future treatment of MCC. Despite this major progress of the past few years, the cellular origin of MCC still remains obscure. Based on histomorphology, gene expression profiling, and molecular analyses, we have recently hypothesized that MCC originates from pre‑/pro-B cells. Here we review putative cells of MCC, including Merkel cells, (epi‑)dermal stem cells, and pro‑/pre-B cells. In the present work, the focus is on the concept of pre‑/pro-B cells as the cellular origin of MCC, which might also impact the understanding of other human small cell malignancies of unknown cellular origin, such as small cell carcinomas of the lung and other anatomical locations. In addition, this concept might pave the way for novel treatment options, especially for advanced MCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, Netherlands.|Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chteinberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rennspiess
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, Netherlands. axel.zurhausen@mumc.nl.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zur Hausen
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
keywords: B cells; Cellular origin; Histology; Polyomavirus; Skin neoplasms