Image: ©iStock/Jezperklauzen

(05/29/2025) Researchers from Long Beach VA and National Cancer Institute developed a potential treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive skin cancer, by modifying an existing drug to target a specific gene. The researchers identified a protein that is overexpressed in Merkel cell carcinoma tumors. By giving mice with grafted tumors a drug that suppresses the gene responsible for this protein’s expression in the body, they achieved complete tumor eradication, and 82% of mice remained cancer-free for 180 days after treatment with no adverse effects. The modified drug was more effective than two similar drugs for Merkel cell carcinoma currently in clinical trials. This research shows the potential of a promising new therapy for patients with Merkel cell carcinoma and other neuroendocrine cancers. (iScience, Apr. 15, 2025)