Background: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was first identified in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) as a new tumor virus. Studies have also reported differing frequencies of MCPyV detection in other skin cancers in western countries.

Objectives: Little is known about geographical differences of MCPyV prevalence in non-MCC tumors. We examined the existence of MCPyV in non-MCC skin cancers including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in Japanese patients.

Study Design: Paraffin-embedded tissues of cutaneous SCC (n=30) and BCC (n=10) from Japanese patients were tested for the presence of MCPyV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primer sets directed against the genes encoding large-T antigen 3 (LT3) and viral protein 1 (VP1). This was followed by DNA fragment sequencing and immunohistochemistry.

Results: PCR analysis targeting the LT3 gene showed that the viral sequences were found in 4 of 30 (13%) SCC cases. Nested PCR detected the VP1 region in four cases. Sequencing analysis of these PCR-amplified fragments showed a close homology to the previously published MCPyV sequences. Immunohistochemistry with the monoclonal antibody to MCPyV LT-antigen showed positive staining in 2 of 4 LT3 PCR-positive cases. On the other hand, our BCC samples were all negative for MCPyV.

Conclusion: This study suggested that Japanese cutaneous SCC is infrequently associated with MCPyV. Further worldwide epidemiological surveys are warranted to determine the possible association of MCPyV with pathogenesis of non-MCC skin cancers.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2010.09.013DOI Listing

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