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Significant overexpression of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) large T antigen in Merkel cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Erovic Boban M.,
Al Habeeb Ayman,
Harris Luke,
Goldstein David P.,
Ghazarian Danny,
Irish Jonathan C.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.22942
Subject(s) - merkel cell polyomavirus , merkel cell carcinoma , immunohistochemistry , merkel cell , tissue microarray , pathology , biology , antigen , polyomavirus infections , pathological , carcinoma , cancer research , medicine , immunology , bk virus , kidney transplantation , kidney , endocrinology
Background The purpose of this study was to determine the expression pattern of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) large T‐protein antigen in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. Methods A tissue microarray (TMA) containing 30 specimens was constructed and stained for the MCPyV large T protein. Immunohistochemical expression was determined semiquantitively and was compared to patients' outcome. Results Nuclear expression of MCPyV large T protein was detected in 29 of 30 specimens (97%). In particular, 60% to 100%, 30% to 60%, and 10% to 30% of tumor cells were positive in 27 specimens (90%), 1 (3%), and 1 (3%), respectively. There was no difference in positivity between primary and metastatic lesions. Clinical data could not be correlated to MCPyV large T‐protein expression. Conclusion MCPyV large T protein was significantly overexpressed in 97% of all specimens. Although we could not demonstrate a predictive effect, MCPyV large T protein may represent a molecular marker with utility in pathological diagnosis as well as a potential new therapeutic target in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013