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.
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.
Authors: Christian A Graves; Ashley Jones; Justin Reynolds; Jeremy Stuart; Lucia Pirisi; Peter Botrous; James Wells Journal: Neuroendocrinology Date: 2014-12-11 Impact factor: 4.914
Authors: Georg Haymerle; Stefan Janik; Alexandra Fochtmann; Johannes Pammer; Helga Schachner; Lucas Nemec; Michael Mildner; Roland Houben; Matthaeus Ch Grasl; Boban M Erovic Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-08-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Ulana Kotowski; Boban M Erović; Julia Schnöll; Victoria Stanek; Stefan Janik; Martin Steurer; Goran Mitulović Journal: Clin Proteomics Date: 2019-12-19 Impact factor: 3.988