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Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor of the skin whose molecular pathogenesis is not completely understood, despite the role that Merkel cell polyomavirus can play in 55-90% of cases. To study potential mechanisms driving this disease in clinically characterized cases, we searched for somatic mutations using whole-exome sequencing, and extrapolated our findings to study functional biomarkers reporting on the activity of the mutated pathways. Confirming previous results, Merkel cell polyomavirus-negative tumors had higher mutational loads with UV signatures and more frequent mutations in TP53 and RB compared with their Merkel cell polyomavirus-positive counterparts. Despite important genetic differences, the two Merkel cell carcinoma etiologies both exhibited nuclear accumulation of oncogenic transcription factors such as NFAT or nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), P-CREB, and P-STAT3, indicating commonly deregulated pathogenic mechanisms with the potential to serve as targets for therapy. A multivariable analysis identified phosphorylated CRE-binding protein as an independent survival factor with respect to clinical variables and Merkel cell polyomavirus status in our cohort of Merkel cell carcinoma patients., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Targeted treatment of advanced melanoma could benefit from the precise molecular characterization of melanoma samples. Using a melanoma-specific selection of 217 genes, we performed targeted deep sequencing of a series of biopsies, from advanced melanoma cases, with a Breslow index of ≥ 4 mm, and/or with a loco-regional infiltration in lymph nodes or presenting distant metastasis, as well of a collection of human cell lines. This approach detected 3-4 mutations per case, constituting unique mutational signatures associated with specific inhibitor sensitivity. Functionally, case-specific combinations of inhibitors that simultaneously targeted MAPK-dependent and MAPK-independent mechanisms were most effective at inhibiting melanoma growth, against each specific mutational background. These observations were challenged by characterizing a freshly resected biopsy from a metastatic lesion located in the skin and soft tissue and by testing its associated therapy ex vivo and in vivo using melanocytes and patient-derived xenografted mice, respectively. The results show that upon mutational characterization of advanced melanoma patients, specific mutational profiles can be used for selecting drugs that simultaneously target several deregulated genes/pathways involved in tumor generation or progression.