BACKGROUND: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a recently discovered virus that is monoclonally integrated into the genome of approximately 80% of all Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs). While some evidence exists that MCPyV does not play a pathogenic role in other nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), little is known about the presence of MCPyV in keratoacanthoma (KA). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence, viral DNA-load, and large T(umor)-antigen expression of MCPyV in KA of immunocompetent patients and to compare the results with those found in SCC and MCC. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissue samples were analyzed for the presence of MCPyV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MCPyV-DNA load (MCPyV-DNA copies per beta-globin gene copy) was determined by using quantitative real-time PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis of the MCPyV large T-antigen was performed with the monoclonal antibody CM2B4. RESULTS: A total of 137 samples (42 KA, 52 SCC, and 43 MCC) were analyzed. MCPyV-DNA was found significantly more frequently in MCC (37/43, 86.0%) compared with KA (12/42, 28.6%) and SCC (14/52, 26.9%). Moreover, MCPyV-DNA loads were more than two orders of magnitude lower in KA and SCC compared with MCC (median/mean loads 0.005/0.015 [KA] vs 0.023/0.059 [SCC] vs 2.613/56.840 [MCC] MCPyV-DNA copies per beta-globin gene copy). All MCC analyzed (n = 3) expressed MCPyV large T-antigen, whereas 8 KA and 7 SCC were negative in immunohistochemistry. LIMITATIONS: The relatively small number of samples is a limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings argue against a pathogenic role of MCPyV in KA and SCC.
BACKGROUND:Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a recently discovered virus that is monoclonally integrated into the genome of approximately 80% of all Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs). While some evidence exists that MCPyV does not play a pathogenic role in other nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), little is known about the presence of MCPyV in keratoacanthoma (KA). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence, viral DNA-load, and large T(umor)-antigen expression of MCPyV in KA of immunocompetent patients and to compare the results with those found in SCC and MCC. METHODS:Paraffin-embedded tissue samples were analyzed for the presence of MCPyV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MCPyV-DNA load (MCPyV-DNA copies per beta-globin gene copy) was determined by using quantitative real-time PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis of the MCPyV large T-antigen was performed with the monoclonal antibody CM2B4. RESULTS: A total of 137 samples (42 KA, 52 SCC, and 43 MCC) were analyzed. MCPyV-DNA was found significantly more frequently in MCC (37/43, 86.0%) compared with KA (12/42, 28.6%) and SCC (14/52, 26.9%). Moreover, MCPyV-DNA loads were more than two orders of magnitude lower in KA and SCC compared with MCC (median/mean loads 0.005/0.015 [KA] vs 0.023/0.059 [SCC] vs 2.613/56.840 [MCC] MCPyV-DNA copies per beta-globin gene copy). All MCC analyzed (n = 3) expressed MCPyV large T-antigen, whereas 8 KA and 7 SCC were negative in immunohistochemistry. LIMITATIONS: The relatively small number of samples is a limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings argue against a pathogenic role of MCPyV in KA and SCC.
Authors: T Gambichler; U Wieland; S Silling; M Dreißigacker; J Schaller; H-J Schulze; F Oellig; A Kreuter; M Stücker; F G Bechara; E Stockfleth; J C Becker Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2016-10-24 Impact factor: 4.553
Authors: T Gambichler; S Mohtezebsade; U Wieland; S Silling; A-K Höh; M Dreißigacker; J Schaller; H-J Schulze; F Oellig; A Kreuter; E Stockfleth; M Stücker; F G Bechara; J C Becker Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2016-09-13 Impact factor: 4.553
Authors: Stephan Herberhold; Martin Hellmich; Marcus Panning; Eva Bartok; Steffi Silling; Baki Akgül; Ulrike Wieland Journal: Med Microbiol Immunol Date: 2016-11-10 Impact factor: 4.148
Authors: Lisa M Hillen; Dorit Rennspiess; Ernst-Jan Speel; Anke M Haugg; Véronique Winnepenninckx; Axel Zur Hausen Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2018-01-09 Impact factor: 5.640