Merkel Cell Carcinoma Patients Presenting Without a Primary Lesion Have Elevated Markers of Immunity, Higher Tumor Mutation Burden, and Improved Survival.

ABSTRACT: Purpose: Patients presenting with nodal Merkel cell carcinoma without an identifiable (unknown) primary lesion (MCC-UP) are nearly twice as likely to survive compared with similarly staged patients with known primary lesions (MCC-KP). The basis of this previously reported finding is unclear.Experimental Design: Survival analyses and markers of immunity were evaluated in 123 patients with advanced MCC. Whole-exome sequence data were analyzed from 16 tumors.Results: As in prior studies, patients with nodal MCC-UP had strikingly improved MCC-specific survival as compared with MCC-KP patients (HR, 0.297; P < 0.001). Surprisingly, patients presenting with distant metastatic MCC-UP also had significantly improved survival (HR, 0.296; P = 0.038). None of the 72

SUBMITTER: Vandeven N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5815931 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature