LRIG1 as a Positive Prognostic Marker in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Expression of Epithelial Stem Cell Markers

July 2021 in “ Archiv für Pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für Klinische Medicin ”

Benjamin Sundqvist, Harri Sihto, Maria von Willebrand, Tom Böhling, Virve Koljonen

LRIG1 Merkel cell carcinoma epithelial stem cells CK19 SOX9 LGR5

TLDR LRIG1 is linked to better survival in Merkel cell carcinoma.

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.

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