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Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
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Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection

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Small cell carcinoma in the parotid harboring Merkel cell polyomavirus

Clayton A Fisher1, Paul W Harms2, Jonathan B McHugh3

  • 1School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
|December 3, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Three new cases of primary parotid small cell carcinoma (SmCC) were identified, with two cases showing Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) presence. This highlights similarities between parotid SmCC and cutaneous MCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Primary small cell carcinoma (SmCC) of the parotid gland is rare.
  • Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is associated with cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Observation:

  • Three new cases of primary parotid SmCC were documented in elderly patients presenting with parotid masses.
  • Clinical and imaging studies ruled out other malignancies or cutaneous MCC.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis revealed characteristic neuroendocrine and epithelial markers, with two cases positive for MCPyV large T antigen (LTAg).

Findings:

  • Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of MCPyV LTAg gene in two of the three parotid SmCC cases.
  • The identified MCPyV LTAg sequences showed high similarity (>97%) to the reference MCPyV genome.
  • Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positive staining for CK20, CAM 5.2, NSE, CD56, and CD57 in the parotid SmCC tumors.

Implications:

  • These findings expand the documented cases of primary parotid SmCC harboring MCPyV.
  • The study underscores the pathological similarities between parotid SmCC and cutaneous MCC.
  • Further research is warranted to explore immune-based therapeutic strategies targeting MCPyV for parotid SmCC.

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