Aging, cell aging, and how MCPyV causes Merkel cell carcinoma
Official title: The role of aging and cellular senescence in MCPyV pathogenesis
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11572339 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aging and aging-related changes in skin cells may help a common virus (MCPyV) persist and potentially lead to a rare skin cancer in people with weaker immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $520,409 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI187379-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572339 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults, especially older individuals, with a history of MCPyV exposure or MCC risk factors, may benefit from future translational approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without MCPyV exposure or those not at risk for MCC may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This grant explores how aging skin cells respond to MCPyV infection and how that relationship helps the virus stay in the body. Researchers will study skin cells to see how cellular aging and a specific nucleolar stress response contribute to viral persistence. The work builds a bridge between basic cell biology and skin cancer risk, focusing on mechanisms that may be more active in older adults. Results could point to new ways to prevent or slow down MCC by targeting aging-related processes in the skin.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could inform future strategies to reduce MCC risk in the aging population by addressing virus-host interactions in aging skin.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked viral persistence in aging cells to cancer risk, suggesting this approach has a plausible path forward but remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwun, Hyun Jin — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kwun, Hyun Jin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.