LRIG1 as a Positive Prognostic Marker in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Expression of Epithelial Stem Cell Markers
Studysummary This study found that the expression of LRIG1 in Merkel cell carcinoma tumors was associated with improved overall and cancer-specific survival.
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This study investigated the expression of hair follicle and epidermal stem cell markers in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and normal human skin, focusing on the potential origin of MCC from epithelial stem cells. In a cohort of 137 MCC cases, the study found significant expression of markers such as CK19, SOX9, LGR5, and LRIG1. Notably, LRIG1 expression was associated with improved overall and MCC-specific survival, suggesting it as a positive prognostic marker. The findings indicated frequent expression of these stem cell markers in MCC, supporting the hypothesis of an epithelial stem cell origin for a subset of MCC tumors.
