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Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly aggressive skin cancer with neuroendocrine features. The pathogenesis of MCC is associated with the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus or chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause a characteristic pattern of multiple DNA mutations. The incidence is increasing due to the aging of the population, increased sun exposure and the use of drugs that suppress the immune system. Unlike most other skin cancers, MCC grows rapidly and metastasizes easily. For a few years, very little has been known about this disease and chemotherapy has been the standard treatment. Currently, new discoveries about the pathophysiology of this neoplasm and the introduction of immunotherapy have allowed the history of these patients to be completely rewritten. In this review, we provide a summary of the most important changes in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma, with a focus on immunotherapy and an overview of future treatment strategies.
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References
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