Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34974547›Full record

ArticlePathologica2021

NeuN, a DNA-binding neuron-specific protein expressed by Merkel cell carcinoma: analysis of 15 cases.

Marco Ungari, Laura Manotti, Giulia Tanzi, Elena Varotti, Giuseppina Ferrero, Marino Daniel Gusolfino, Monica Trombatore, Laura Cavazzuti, Miriam Tolomini

Open access · diamondAbstract read
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Article in Pathologica, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 40% 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

4 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

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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 2 institutions in 1 country.

Marco UngariDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Laura ManottiDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Giulia TanziDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Elena VarottiDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Giuseppina FerreroDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Marino Daniel GusolfinoDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Monica TrombatoreDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Laura CavazzutiDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Miriam TolominiDepartment of Pathology, ASST Cremona, Italy.
Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona · ITAzienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale di Cremona

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma, with an increasing worldwide incidence. It presents as a painless red to purple nodule on sun-exposed skin. MCC is presumed to arise from resident cutaneous Merkel cells. The pathogenesis of MCC is likely multifactorial with immunosuppression, UV-induced skin damage, and Merkel cell polyomavirus contributing to the development. The diagnosis of MCC relies upon characteristic morphologic features and use of immunohistochemical stains. Histologically, the differential diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma includes the 'small round cell' tumor group, particularly metastatic small cell carcinoma and hematological malignancies. This study investigates the expression of NeuN antibody, which recognizes the protein NeuN, normally present in most neuronal cell types and neuronal tumors, in Merkel cell carcinomas. METHODS AND

resultsFifteen cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (7 men and 7 women; mean age 74 years) were retrieved from the institute database between the years 2011-2020. The immunohistochemical profile was investigated: CK20 (14/14), Neurofilament, (12/12), Synaptophysin (14/14); Chromogranin A (11/13), PAX5 (10/12), TDT (5/12), CK7 (1/14), TTF1 (0/14). Infection by Polyoma virus was detected in 11 of 14 patients. Most tumors showed middle/strong expression of NeuN. No cutaneous structures, or epidermal Merkel cells, showed expression of NeuN. The expression of NeuN was investigated in 17 primary small cell lung carcinomas: 2 cases were positive for Neu-N.

conclusionsAwareness of the staining pattern of Neu-N could aid in diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma, avoiding misinterpretation and erroneous diagnosis with other tumors.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Merkel CellSkin NeoplasmsAgedCarrier ProteinsDNAFemaleHumansMaleNeuronsCarrier ProteinsDNAMerkel cell carcinomaMerkel cell polyomavirusNeuNneuroendocrine carcinomasmall cell lung carcinoma

Identifiers

PMID34974547
PMCPMC8720396
OpenAlexW4200380508

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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.