Gehrcken L, Sauerer T, Schaft N, Dörrie J (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2021
Book Volume: 22
Article Number: 8679
Journal Issue: 16
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168679
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer with rising incidence and high mortality. Approximately 80% of the cases are caused by the human Merkel cell polyomavirus, while the remaining 20% are induced by UV light leading to mutations. The standard treatment of metastatic MCC is the use of anti-PD-1/-PD-L1-immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) such as Pembrolizumab or Avelumab, which in comparison with conventional chemotherapy show better overall response rates and longer duration of responses in patients. Nevertheless, 50% of the patients do not respond or develop ICI-induced, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), due to diverse mechanisms, such as down-regulation of MHC complexes or the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Other immunotherapeutic options such as cytokines and pro-inflammatory agents or the use of therapeutic vaccination offer great ameliorations to ICI. Cytotoxic T-cells play a major role in the effectiveness of ICI, and tumour-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells and their phenotype contribute to the clinical outcome. This literature review presents a summary of current and future checkpoint inhibitor therapies in MCC and demonstrates alternative therapeutic options. Moreover, the importance of T-cell responses and their beneficial role in MCC treatment is discussed.
APA:
Gehrcken, L., Sauerer, T., Schaft, N., & Dörrie, J. (2021). T-cell responses in merkel cell carcinoma: Implications for improved immune checkpoint blockade and other therapeutic options. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168679
MLA:
Gehrcken, Laura, et al. "T-cell responses in merkel cell carcinoma: Implications for improved immune checkpoint blockade and other therapeutic options." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22.16 (2021).
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