The prognostic value of the Merkel cell polyomavirus serum antibody test: A dual institutional observational study

作者：David M. Miller, Sophia Z. Shalhout, Kayla M. Wright, Matt A. Miller, Howard L. Kaufman, Kevin S. Emerick, Harrison T. Reeder, Ann W. Silk, Manisha Thakuria · 发表于：Cancer · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1002/cncr.35314 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Polyomavirus and related diseases、Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies、Animal Virus Infections Studies

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cancer with often poor outcomes. Limited biomarkers exist for predicting clinical outcomes. The Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) serum antibody test (AMERK) has shown potential for indicating better recurrence-free survival in a single-institution study. The study aimed to evaluate the link between initial AMERK serostatus and survival. Secondary objectives included examining the relationship between initial AMERK titer levels and tumor burden. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study across two institutions analyzed patients tested with AMERK within 90 days of MCC diagnosis. Regression models assessed the association of survival outcomes with serostatus, considering various factors. The relationship between AMERK titer and tumor burden indicators was evaluated using ANOVA. Significance testing was exploratory, without a fixed significance level. RESULTS: Of 261 MCC patients tested, 49.4% were initially seropositive (titer ≥75). Multivariable analysis showed that seropositivity improved recurrence, event-free, overall, and MCC-specific survival rates. Strong associations were found between initial AMERK titer and clinical, tumor, and nodal stages, tumor size, and disease extent. Notably, improved survival with seropositivity was observed only in patients with localized disease at initial presentation. CONCLUSION: Circulating antibodies to MCPyV oncoproteins, as indicated by the AMERK test, are linked with better survival i...