Immune responses against a virus-related skin cancer suggest ways to improve immunotherapy

January 17, 2017

Publisher

Medical Xpress

Publication Date

January 17, 2017

Merkelcell.org Summary

A new study suggests ways to improve immune therapy for certain cancers, including a virus-associated form of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare, aggressive skin cancer. The data will drive future clinical trials using genetically engineered T cells to fight cancer. The results are published this week in Cancer Immunology Research, with Dr. Paul Nghiem, professor and head (Dermatology) and UW MD-PhD student Natalie Miller are senior and lead author. Read more in Medical Xpress (link provided below).

Overview

Researchers at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington say a new study suggests ways to improve immune therapy for certain cancers including a virus-associated form of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare, aggressive skin cancer. Merkel cell carcinoma, or MCC, is 35 times less common than melanoma, but on average, it is about three times more likely to be deadly. There are currently no therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this cancer. About 80 percent of the 2,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year are caused in part by a virus – Merkel cell polyomavirus – that is often present on normal skin without consequence.

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