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Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Associated With Merkel Cell Carcinoma OXFORD, United Kingdom -- September 23, 2009 -- The Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the only human polyomavirus known to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma, according to a study published online September 23 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The majority of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma carry MCPyV, but little is known about the polyomavirus’ prevalence in the general population and the association between circulating antibodies against MCPyV and the rare skin cancer. Denise A. Galloway, PhD, and Paul Nghiem, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, and colleagues investigated the levels of antibodies against all 5 human polyomaviruses in plasma from 41 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma and 76 matched control subjects. Seroprevalence of polyomavirus-specific antibodies for McPyV and the other 4 polyomaviruses -- BK, JC, WU, and KI -- was also determined in another 451 control subjects, who represented the general population. MCPyV DNA was determined in tumour tissue specimens. Researchers found that 36 (88%) of the 41 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma carried antibodies against MCPyV compared with 40 (53%) of the 76 control subjects. MCPyV DNA was detectable in 24 (77%) of the 31 Merkel cell carcinoma tumours available, with 22 (92%) of these 24 patients also carrying antibodies against MCPyV. Among the 451 control subjects, prevalence of antibodies against the 5 human polyomaviruses was 92% for BK virus, 45% for JC virus, 98% for WU polyomavirus, 90% for KI polyomavirus, and 59% for MCPyV. Although infection with MCPyV is common in the general population, MCPyV, but not the other 4 human polyomaviruses, appears to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma. “It should be remembered that Merkel cell cancer is rare…,” the authors wrote. “Thus, although antibody reactivity against MCPyV was associated with an increased risk of developing cell cancer, the absolute risk of cancer development in antibody-positive individuals is exceeding low.” SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version