Natural killer cell response is a predictor of good outcome in MCPyV+ Merkel cell carcinoma: A case series of 23 patients

To the Editor: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) represents a rare, aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. The majority of MCCs are positive for genomic insertions of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Favorable outcomes have been reported for MCPyV+ versus MCPyV− MCCs1 and a high level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.2-4 In addition, higher numbers of natural killer (NK) cells have been identified in MCPyV+ versus MCPyV−,3 but the prognostic significance of this remains to be determined.

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