Abstract
Background and aims: Loss of human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) is a striking feature of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and a well-characterized mechanism of immune escape. However, HLA-I can be upregulated in MCC with IFN-γ, histone deacetylase inhibitors, or demethylating agents, suggestive of epigenetic repression of class I antigen presentation genes. We hypothesized that restoration of HLA-I should increase MCC immunogenicity and facilitate viral epitope presentation. Moreover, given the paucity of mutations in Merkel cell polyomavirus-positive (MCPyV+) MCC in particular, we suspected that viral antigen-mediated signaling may suppress HLA-I surface expression in MCPyV+ MCC.
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