Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Current Treatment Landscape and Emerging Therapeutic Targets.

IF 4.7 2区医学 Q1 ONCOLOGY

Current Oncology Reports Pub Date : 2025-06-03 DOI:10.1007/s11912-025-01693-z

Kelly Pan, A Maria Vromans, Liang Cheng, Jane M Grant-Kels, Steven C Katz, Matthew J Hadfield

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose of review: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma that is primarily driven by Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and ultraviolet radiation. Due to its rarity and innocuous appearance on clinical exam, MCC diagnosis is often delayed and therefore diagnosed at advanced stages. Overall survival outcomes are poor and notably worse than melanoma, with an estimated five-year survival ranging from 35 to 60% for stage I or II disease to < 15% for metastatic disease. Our review examines the diagnostic workup, prognostic markers, and current and emerging treatments of MCC.

Recent findings: For local disease in which surgical resection is feasible, tumor removal with potential adjuvant radiation therapy is the primary treatment modality. Immunotherapy with PD-1 / PD-L1 inhibitors is now standard for advanced disease where complete resection is not feasible. Additionally, there are many ongoing clinical trials examining novel immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, targeted therapies, cellular therapies, vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapies with the goal of improving outcomes for patients with advanced disease or those who experience recurrence after first-line immunotherapy. MCC is an aggressive disease with a rapidly evolving treatment landscape, and emerging therapies hold the potential to improve prognosis in advanced disease.

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默克尔细胞癌：目前的治疗前景和新兴的治疗靶点。

综述目的：默克尔细胞癌（MCC）是一种罕见的侵袭性皮肤神经内分泌癌，主要由默克尔细胞多瘤病毒（MCPyV）和紫外线辐射驱动。由于其罕见和无害的外观在临床检查，MCC的诊断往往被延误，因此在晚期诊断。总体生存结果较差，明显比黑色素瘤差，I期或II期疾病的估计5年生存率为35%至60%。最近的研究结果：对于手术切除可行的局部疾病，肿瘤切除配合潜在的辅助放射治疗是主要的治疗方式。PD-1 / PD-L1抑制剂的免疫治疗现在是晚期疾病的标准治疗，完全切除是不可行的。此外，还有许多正在进行的临床试验，研究新的免疫检查点抑制剂、免疫调节剂、靶向治疗、细胞治疗、疫苗和溶瘤病毒治疗，目的是改善晚期疾病患者或一线免疫治疗后复发患者的预后。MCC是一种侵袭性疾病，治疗前景迅速发展，新兴疗法有可能改善晚期疾病的预后。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Current Oncology Reports ONCOLOGY-

CiteScore

8.50

自引率

0.00%

发文量

187

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： This journal aims to review the most important, recently published clinical findings in the field of oncology. By providing clear, insightful, balanced contributions by international experts, the journal intends to serve all those involved in the care of those affected by cancer. We accomplish this aim by appointing international authorities to serve as Section Editors in key subject areas, such as cancer prevention, leukemia, melanoma, neuro-oncology, and palliative medicine. Section Editors, in turn, select topics for which leading experts contribute comprehensive review articles that emphasize new developments and recently published papers of major importance, highlighted by annotated reference lists. An international Editorial Board reviews the annual table of contents, suggests articles of special interest to their country/region, and ensures that topics are current and include emerging research. Commentaries from well-known figures in the field are also provided.