Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. Until recently, no durable treatment options were available for patients with advanced disease. As an immunogenic cancer, MCC was hypothesized to be a candidate for PD-L1/PD-1 targeted therapy. On March 23, 2017 the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of metastatic MCC on the basis of the JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial. Here we examine the results and implications of this pivotal study, published in Lancet Oncology by Kaufman et al., as well as current developments in the use of immune-checkpoint therapies for treating patients with MCC.

Conclusion: In this population-based study, approximately one tenth of SOCs self-reported achieving GDE. Male sex and higher educational status, but not race or SES, were associated with achieving GDE. Further research is needed to better identify potential barriers to engaging in exercise. Furthermore, the overall low adherence also calls into question the utility of such exercise guidelines in cancer survivorship care; these findings suggest the need for improved guidelines that are attainable for a greater proportion of survivors of cancer.

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