Polyomavirus Antibodies for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Recurrence Detection

In patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), how reliable are Merkel cell polyomavirus antibody titers in identifying recurrence?In this cohort study of 503 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, after a falling or negative titer, the chance of remaining free of recurrence over 3 months was 99.3%. In contrast, the risk of recurrence after a single rising oncoprotein antibody titer was 58% by 12 months.A rising oncoprotein antibody titer often precedes clinical or radiographic recurrence, prompting intensified surveillance, whereas a falling or negative titer has high negative predictive value, providing reassurance and potentially reducing the need for surveillance imaging.

Corresponding Author: Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, University of Washington, 850 Republican St, Box 358050, Seattle, WA 98109 (pnghiem@uw.edu).

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