Publication date: Jul 02, 2026
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.
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Cancer | immunotherapy |
| Hispanic | Merkel cell carcinoma |
| Immunotherapy | radiation |
| Old | |
| Ventilatory |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | Merkel Cell Carcinoma |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| disease | MESH | Infection |
| drug | DRUGBANK | MCC |
| disease | MESH | skin cancer |
| disease | MESH | tumor |