Merkel Cell Carcinoma may be Caused by Merkel Cell Polyomavirus

Study says Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the only human polyomavirus known to be associated with a rare skin cancer, known as Merkel cell carcinoma

A new study published online September 23 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute says that the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the only human polyomavirus known to be associated with a rare skin cancer, known as Merkel cell carcinoma.

The majority of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma carry MCPyV, but little is known about the polyomavirus' prevalence in the general population and the association between circulating antibodies against MCPyV and the rare skin cancer.

About Cancer in Women
Cancer is one of the frequently talked about and most feared disease that falls under the genre of lifestyle diseases that have evolved, rather rapidly, in the past two decades.

Denise A. Galloway, Ph.D. and Paul Nghiem, M.D., Ph.D., of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and colleagues investigated the levels of antibodies against all five human polyomaviruses in plasma from 41 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma and 76 matched control subjects. Seroprevalence of polyomavirus-specific antibodies for McPyV and the other four polyomaviruses—BK, JC, WU, and KI—was also determined in another 451 control subjects, who represented the general population. MCPyV DNA was determined in tumor tissue specimens.

The authors found that 36 (88%) of 41 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma carried antibodies against MCPyV compared with 40 (53%) of the 76 control subjects. MCPyV DNA was detectable in 24 (77%) of the 31 Merkel cell carcinoma tumors available, with 22 (92%) of these 24 patients also carrying antibodies against MCPyV. Among the 451 control subjects, prevalence of antibodies against the five human polyomaviruses was 92% for BK virus, 45% for JC virus, 98% for WU polyomavirus, 90% for KI polyomavirus, and 59% for MCPyV.

Although infection with MCPyV is common in the general population, MCPyV, but not the other four human polyomaviruses, appears to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma.

Oral Cancer | Mouth Cancer - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Oral cancer is a cancer that develops in any part of the mouth. It is more common in men over 40.

"It should be remembered that Merkel cell cancer is rare…," the authors write. "Thus, although antibody reactivity against MCPyV was associated with an increased risk of developing cell cancer, the absolute risk of cancer development in antibody–positive individuals is exceeding low."

Pancreatic Cancer - All About the Disease, its Diagnosis and Management
Pancreatic cancer often involves its exocrine part. It grows aggressively, and often detected late. Treatment options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Source-Eurekalert
RAS

About Pre Cancerous Lesions
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general information about Pre Cancerous Lesions