Visiting Dana-Farber? See our prescreening and mask requirements.
Please note that some translations using Google Translate may not be accurately represented and downloaded documents cannot be translated. Dana-Farber assumes no liability for inaccuracies that may result from using this third-party tool, which is for website translation and not clinical interactions. You may request a live medical interpreter for a discussion about your care.
At the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center Merkel Cell Carcinoma Center of Excellence, we treat patients from across the country and around the world for the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma. We also serve as a leading center for research on this rare type of skin cancer.
Our patients have full access to Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center's world-renowned academic medical community, with its diverse specialists and state-of-the-art facilities. Using the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities, our Merkel cell carcinoma experts develop individualized treatment plans for newly diagnosed patients, and we closely monitor patients who have completed their therapy.
Patients with Merkel cell carcinoma often require a combination of surgery, systemic therapy, and radiation therapy. A multidisciplinary team approach that can coordinate all care is the best way to manage these complicated cases. Working together as one singularly-focused team, our specialists help Merkel cell carcinoma patients get better faster — with improved outcomes and fewer post-treatment problems.
Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center's Merkel cell carcinoma specialists have deep expertise treating this complex disease. Skilled colleagues in surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology – as well as other specialties associated with Dana-Farber's Cutaneous Cancer Treatment Center — work closely together to develop a personalized plan that is best for each patient.
Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center also offers clinical trials for Merkel cell carcinoma patients. See trials that are currently enrolling, below.
A Phase 2, Open-Label, Single-Arm Study of KRT-232 in Patients with p53 Wild-Type (p53WT) Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) Who Have Failed Anti-PD-1 or Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy
A Phase 2 Study of Talimogene laherparepvec Followed by Talimogene laherparepvec + Nivolumab in Refractory T Cell and NK Cell Lymphomas, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, and Other Rare Skin Tumors
A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trial of adjuvant Avelumab (anti-PDL-1 antibody) in Merkel cell carcinoma patients with clinically detected lymph node metastases
A Phase III Randomized Trial Comparing Adjuvant MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) to Standard of Care Observation in Completely Resected Merkel Cell Carcinoma
A Phase 1b/2 Study of AST-008 Combined with Pembrolizumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
In addition to the treatment protocols above, patients may participate in a non-treatment protocol. The goal is to gather information and samples from MCC patients to promote future research to prevent and combat MCC.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Tissue and Data Repository Protocol #: 09-156
New Patient Appointments 877-442-3324
Clinical Trials Questions?
877-DF-TRIAL (877-338-7425)
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Research
Learn more about Merkel cell carcinoma research at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and the work conducted by the DeCaprio Lab, led by James DeCaprio, MD.