Effect of host immune status on the efficacy of radiotherapy and recurrence-free survival among 805 Merkel cell carcinoma patients

The impact of chronic immunosuppression on RT efficacy was evaluated among non-metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients treated with curative-intent. Despite higher proportions of immunosuppressed MCC patients receiving RT to the primary site compared with immune-competent MCC patients, immunosuppressed MCC patients experienced increased local failures as first relapse (25% versus 12%; p=0.0002) and lower recurrence-free survival (2-year 30% versus 57%;p<0.0001). The efficacy of conventional radiotherapy on tumor control may be impaired in an immunosuppressed host.

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