Skin cancer caused by the MCPyV virus: how low oxygen may drive Merkel cell carcinoma
Official title: Project 3: Skin hypoxia, MCPyV infection, and MCC tumorigenesis
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11413544 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how low-oxygen conditions in the skin interact with a virus linked to Merkel cell carcinoma to find new ways to prevent and treat this aggressive skin cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $85,072 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA281867-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413544 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma or those at high risk due to MCPyV exposure and immune suppression.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without MCC or MCPyV-associated risk factors are unlikely to directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Merkel cell carcinoma is a very aggressive skin cancer often associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus. This project investigates how the viral genes LT and sT promote cancer development and how immune suppression increases risk. The researchers are exploring how the tumor’s hypoxic (low-oxygen) skin environment drives changes in gene activity that support growth and spread, with attention to genes like CA9 and VEGF-A. Insights from this work could point to new targets for prevention and therapy in MCC patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: New understanding of MCC biology could lead to better prevention strategies and novel treatments for patients with this deadly skin cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked MCPyV, hypoxia, and tumor-promoting genes to MCC, supporting the potential for meaningful advances.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: You, Jianxin — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: You, Jianxin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
HIF-driven ways to repair damaged lungs in IPF
A doctor-researcher is testing how low-oxygen signals (HIF) could help restore healthy lung tissue in people with IPF.
-
Neonatal Brain Injury Protection with New Purine Compounds
A new medication approach using purine derivatives is being studied to protect newborn brains from injury caused by limited blood flow and oxygen during birth.
-
Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) helps brain BH4 levels after injury
This grant tests whether brain AKR enzymes can boost BH4 levels and support better brain function after hypoxia-ischemia-related injury.
-
Dual-hypoxia and proliferation PET biomarker for recurrent glioblastoma
A study using a special PET imaging approach to map oxygen-poor areas and cell growth in recurrent brain tumors to guide treatment decisions.
-
How low oxygen and genetic tweaks may repair mitochondrial problems linked to Alzheimer’s and other disorders
A Johns Hopkins-style? (Note: institution specified later) patient-facing overview: researchers will study tiny cell power stations in mitochondria to see if low-oxygen conditions and specific genetic changes can fix problems associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
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.