Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34943208›Full record

ReviewBiology2021

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: From Pathobiology to Clinical Management.

Peerzada Umar Farooq Baba, Zubaida Rasool, Ishrat Younas Khan, Clay J Cockerell, Richard Wang, Martin Kassir, Henner Stege, Stephan Grabbe, Mohamad Goldust

Open access · goldAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
1.3field-weighted citation impact, top 17% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 19 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Diagnosis and treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma in a puppy: A comparative oncology approach.The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 5 institutions in 3 countries.

Peerzada Umar Farooq BabaDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive Microsurgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, SKIMS, Srinagar 190011, India.
Zubaida RasoolDepartment of Pathology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, SKIMS, Srinagar 190011, India.
Ishrat Younas KhanDepartment of Pathology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, SKIMS, Srinagar 190011, India.
Clay J CockerellDepartments of Dermatology and Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Richard WangDepartment of Dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Martin KassirFounding Director, Worldwide Laser Institute, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Henner StegeDepartment of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany.
Stephan GrabbeDepartment of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-6863-8719
Mohamad GoldustDepartment of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-8646-1179
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz · DESher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences · INSouthwestern Medical CenterSouthwestern Medical Center · USWorldwide Laser Institute · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an infrequent, rapidly growing skin neoplasm that carries a greater probability of regional lymph node involvement, and a grim prognosis in advanced cases. While it is seen predominantly in old age in sun-exposed body parts, the prevalence varies among different races and geographical regions. Merkel cell polyomavirus and UV radiation-induced mutations contribute to its etiopathogenesis. The clinical presentation of MCC lacks pathognomonic features and is rarely considered highly at the time of presentation. Histopathological examination frequently reveals hyperchromatic nuclei with high mitotic activity, but immunohistochemistry is required to confirm the diagnosis. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and imaging are advised for effective staging of the disease. Multimodal management including surgery, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy are deployed. Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies may result in an initial response, but do not result in a significant survival benefit. Checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic MCC, and are recommended first-line in advanced cases. There is a need for well-tolerated agents with good safety profiles in patients who have failed immunotherapies.

Indexed as

Merkel cell carcinomapolyomavirussentinel lymph nodeUV-radiation

Identifiers

PMID34943208
PMCPMC8698953
OpenAlexW4200389706

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.