Our team based in Seattle conducted a comprehensive review including evolving trends in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This summary covers key decision points, including recommended work-up during initial diagnosis, treatment options for MCC when it’s in one place or has spread, management of recurrent MCC, and new treatments that are showing promise with fewer side effects and good results. This review gives valuable information on how to handle MCC overall and emphasizes new methods that are effective and less toxic on patients.
Multifunctional calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) is an enzyme mediating calcium-dependent signal transduction pathways. CaM kinase exists in a variety of isoforms, each with a distinct tissue-specific expression pattern, that enables the kinase to regulate multiple functions in mammalian systems. Here we report the chromosomal localization of the previously cloned human gamma-CaM kinase gene (CAMKG). By using a mapping panel of human x Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrid lines and fluorescence in situ hybridization, we have assigned human CAMKG to chromosome 10q22. We have partially cloned the murine gamma-CaM kinase gene and mapped it Camkg to mouse chromosome 14 by analyzing a panel of mouse x rodent somatic cell hybrid lines. A recessive gene, asa, implicated in the control of autoimmune response, is located within the predicted region for Camkg.