Complete Response of Merkel Cell Carcinoma to Immunotherapy and Single-Fraction Radiotherapy Following Severe COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Review of Immune Mechanism.

Authors

Aubrey C Swilling, Jessica Caraway, Thomas M Irwin, Trevor J McCracken, W Spence Bodenhamer, Christopher E Lominska, David Akhavan, Gary C Doolittle, Luke V Selby

Published in

The American surgeon. Pages 31348261465398. Jul 02, 2026. Epub Jul 02, 2026.

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine form of skin cancer. This case report describes a 70-year-old Hispanic male with stage IIA MCC of the upper back which rapidly progressed during hospitalization for severe COVID-19 infection requiring ventilatory support. After resolution of his severe acute illness, he received one dose of anti-PD-1 therapy and single-fraction radiotherapy to his primary lesion for local control. His tumor then underwent a rapid regression and he completed 17 cycles of immunotherapy with a complete clinical and radiologic response sustained more than 4 years. This case illustrates a possible synergistic effect of radiation therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition after rebounding immune-system hyperactivation from infection with COVID-19.

PMID:
42389872
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 02 Jul 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.