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Updated: Aug 25, 2025
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Detection
Published on: February 7, 2019
HLA-G expression in Merkel cell carcinoma and the correlation with Merkel cell polyomavirus infection
L M Parra1, B G C Sartori2, D R Fernandes3
1Clinical Laboratory, Amaral Carvalho Hospital-Jaú, Dona Silvéria, 150 - Chácara Braz Miraglia, São Paulo, 17210-070, Brazil. leomparra@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous carcinoma with a high mortality rate. The MCC etiology is not fully understood. Merkel cell-associated polyomavirus (MCPyV) was found in MCC patients, indicating a risk factor for the tumor. Caucasian, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop this tumor. HLA-G consists of a non-classical class I (Ib) HLA molecule with an immunoregulatory function and was associated with tumor escape in different types of tumors, nonetheless, never been studied in MCC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HLA-G expression and also to detect the MCPyV in MCC patients and correlate it with the clinical course of the disease. Forty-five MCC patients were included in a retrospective study. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cutaneous skin biopsies were used by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR to verify the HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection. HLA-G expression was found in 7 (15.6%), while the presence of MCPyV was detected in 28 (62.2%) of the studied patients. No significant association was found between HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection (p = 0.250). The presence of MCPyV was associated with areas of low sunlight exposure (p = 0.042) and the HLA-G expression with progression to death (p = 0.038). HLA-G expression was detected in MCC patients, as well as the MCPyV presence was confirmed. These markers could represent factors with a possible impact on patient survival; however, further studies with a greater number of patients are needed, to better elucidate the possible role in disease progression.
Insights
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) research found Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) expression linked to poorer survival. Merkel cell-associated polyomavirus (MCPyV) was detected in most patients, associated with less sun exposure.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer with high mortality.
- The etiology of MCC is not fully understood, but Merkel cell-associated polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a suspected risk factor.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G), an immunoregulatory molecule, has been implicated in tumor escape but not studied in MCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate HLA-G expression in MCC patients.
- To detect MCPyV presence in MCC patients.
- To correlate HLA-G and MCPyV with the clinical course of MCC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 45 MCC patients.
- Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsies.
- Analysis of HLA-G expression, MCPyV infection, and clinical data.
Main Results:
- HLA-G expression was found in 15.6% of patients.
- MCPyV was detected in 62.2% of patients.
- MCPyV presence correlated with low sun exposure (p=0.042); HLA-G expression correlated with progression to death (p=0.038). No significant association between HLA-G and MCPyV (p=0.250).
Conclusions:
- Both HLA-G expression and MCPyV presence were confirmed in MCC patients.
- HLA-G expression may be a negative prognostic factor impacting patient survival.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to clarify the roles of HLA-G and MCPyV in MCC progression.
