News & Publications

For patients who receive immune therapy for advanced melanoma, one year of therapy seems to be enough in most cases to provide ongoing disease control. We are in the process of studying our MCC patients to gather similar information. Early data seem to indicate that MCC patients tend to benefit from...

This large study finds that being on an immune stimulating therapy for cancer does not seem to worsen severity of COVID. On the other hand, COVID is a more dangerous disease in cancer patients. Bottom line: We should treat our patients properly for their cancer (including giving them immune therapy ...

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous malignancy with poor prognosis. In Europe, approved systemic therapies are limited to the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab. For avelumab-refractory patients, efficient and safe treatment options are lacking. Methods: A...

Another study (this one from Spain) documenting the striking utility of PET/CT scanning in MCC, particularly at baseline, when we strongly advocate for this technology. Staging and management were altered in a large proportion of patients.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer that occurs in elderly patients. The risk of MCC is increased by immunosuppression due to conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, hematological malignancies, and organ transplantation. These risk factors can also be ...

When you get your chance to receive the COVID vaccine, unless there is a specific contraindication, you should do it!  Many patients have been asking this very reasonable question. Our team has in every case said to get vaccinated, whether or not the patient is on therapy to alter their immune resp...

Just like humans, cats and dogs can get Merkel cell carcinoma. And just like in humans, it is unclear what type of cell in the skin gives rise to MCC, though a precursor skin cell seems most likely. Unlike in humans, there is no evidence a virus causes MCC in animals.

Dear friends of Merkel cell carcinoma research, As we conclude this unprecedented year, I would like to convey Team Merkel’s appreciation of your support. Although it was a challenging year, 2020 was also one of many exciting milestones in Merkel cell research that I am excited to share with yo...

Take-Home Message Using the National Cancer Database, cases of stage I–III Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC; N=11,119) were sorted into those treated at high treatment center volume (TCV) institutions versus low TVC institutions. At a median follow-up of 28.8 months, the 2-year overall survival was...

Cats and dogs can get MCC as well as humans! But their MCCs are not caused by the Merkel polyomavirus.