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The 4th International Merkel Cell Carcinoma Symposium
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. This scientific symposium will focus on the epidemiology, carcinogenesis, and management of MCC. The symposium will include a Keynote presentation on Merkel cell polyomavirus from Dr. Yuan Chang (UPMC Department of Pathology), who discovered the virus together with her collaborator Dr. Patrick Moore in 2008. Other presentations will be from leaders in the field and selected abstracts and will emphasize new, unpublished work. Topics will span the range from foundational science to translational studies to clinical trials. Roundtable / debate-style discussions will be centered on pressing questions in the field including how best to address immunotherapy resistance, the relevance of viral integration and transcription in driving clinical outcomes, and the future of molecularly-targeted and orthogonal immunotherapeutic approaches. Registration is open to physicians, health professionals, scientists, and trainees in academia and industry. Patients and patient advocates are highly encouraged to attend.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for scientists at all levels: senior and early stage principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, medical and graduate students, residents, clinical fellows, and staff scientists, as well as a substantial number of clinicians (oncologists, dermatologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists), clinician-investigators, allied health professionals, and patient advocates.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Identify challenges and knowledge gaps in MCC research.
- Assess opportunities to improve the understanding of MCC biology, pathogenesis, and therapy.
- Use networking among MCC researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates for the benefit of the patient community.
- Apply strategies to improve interest and engagement in the MCC research community and patient care environments.
SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT FOR A POSTER PRESENTATION
The deadline for poster submission is Monday, February 23, 2026
For more information on abstract submissions, please review the following document: 
Abstract Submission Guidelines MCC4.pdf
Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
Upon successful completion of this activity, if you wish to receive MOC Part 2 points you will need to enter your ABIM ID number and birthday (month/day) in your profile. The Mass General Brigham Office of Continuing Professional Development will verify completion of the activity and report to the ABIM. Diplomates are responsible for checking their ABIM Portfolio for confirmation of MOC Part 2 points.
MOC Recognition Statement
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 11.5 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Additional Information
Mass Eye and Ear, Mass General Brigham, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Day 1: Monday, April 27, 2026 | 8:00am - 6:00pm
| 8:00am | Registration and Breakfast (Breakfast will be provided) |
Session I: Keynote Session | |
9:00 | Opening Remarks | Ann Silk, MD & Isaac Brownell, MD, PhD |
9:05 | Introduction of Keynote Speaker | James DeCaprio, MD |
9:10 | Keynote Address: Perspectives on MCPyV in MCC | Yuan Chang, MD (University of Pittsburgh) |
| 9:40 | Q&A |
9:45 | Group Photo/Break |
Session II: Biology of MCC | |
10:15 | Organoid Models of MCC | Nicole Fischer, PhD (University Medical Center Hamburg) |
10:30 | A New Mouse Model of MCC | Elena Ezhkova, PhD (Mt. Sinai) |
10:45 | eccDNA in MCC | Anja Lange, PhD (University Duisburg) |
11:00 | Non-CpG methylation in MCC | Gabe Starrett, PhD (NCI, NIH) |
11:15 | Q&A |
| Oral Abstracts 1 Moderator: TBD | |
11:30 | Announcement of “Wicked Smaaht” Abstract Awards |
| 11:35 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 11:40 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 11:45 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 11:50 | Q&A |
| Lunch and Poster Viewing | |
| 12:00pm | Lunch with Roundtable Discussions |
12:45 | Poster Session |
Session III: MCC Immunology, Translational Innovations | |
1:15 | Towards an MCPyV Vaccine | Jeffrey Ishizuka |
| 1:30 | Tumor Immune Microenvironment | Tomas Bencomo, MSTP (University of Washington) |
| 1:45 | Drug Screens to Identify Novel Agents | Jianxin You, PhD (University of Pennsylvania) |
| 2:00 | Tumor Infiltrating B Cells Recognize Merkel Cell Carcinoma Specific Pathways | Julia Schnabel, BS (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) |
Oral Abstract 2 | |
| 2:15 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 2:20 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 2:25 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 2:30 | Q&A |
| 2:40 | Break (Coffee and Posters) |
Session IV: Immunology and Therapeutics | |
| 3:10 | Targeting Virus Positive MCC with TCR T Cells | Aude G. Chapuis, MD (UW/Fred Hutchinson) |
| 3:25 | Epigenetic Programming Driving Immunosuppression in Viral-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinomas Through the IRF8-Ostepontin Axis | Richard Tothill, PhD (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) |
| 3:40 | Immune and Molecular Correlates of Lenvatinib + Pembrolizumab Trial | Kenneth Y. Tsai, MD, PhD (Moffitt Cancer Center) |
| 3:55 | TBD |
| Oral Abstract 3 Moderator: TBD | |
| 4:10 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 4:15 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 4:20 | Selected Oral Abstract Presenter - TBD |
| 4:25 | Q&A |
| 4:35pm | Adjournment of Educational Activity |
**4:35pm - 6:00pm: Attendees are invited to view posters and network
Day 2: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 8:00am - 12:25pm
| 8:00am | Opening Remarks | Ann Silk, MD & Isaac Brownell, MD, PhD |
Session V: Advances in MCC Management | |
8:05 | A Reassessment of Radiation Therapy for Stages I-IV of Merkel Cell Carcinoma | Christopher Barker, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) |
8:20 | Role of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in MCC: What Does the Future Hold? | |
8:35 | Refractory MCC: How to Manage It and What is Promising? | |
| 8:50 | Q&A |
9:00 | Lightning Debate 1: Adjuvant Immunotherapy Moderator: David Miller, MD Participants: Sunandana Chandra, MD (Northwestern) and Wen Xu, MD (Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane) |
9:20 | Break (Coffee and Posters) |
9:40 | Panel Discussion: Medical Decision Making in the Clinic |
10:15 | Lightning Debate 2: Standard vs. Shorter Course Radiation Therapy Moderator: Danielle Margalit Participants: Chris Barker, MD and Devarati Mitra, MD, PhD |
10:35 | Regulatory Fireside Chat: |
| 11:00 | Break (Coffee and Posters) |
Session VI: Diagnosis & Detection | |
11:20 | Molecular Pathology | Thibault Kervarrec, MD, PhD (University of Tours, France) |
| 11:35 | ctDNA and Correlates | Tomoko Akaike, MD (UW) |
| 11:50 | Lightning Debate 3: Can We Eliminate Adjuvant RT After Complete Excision of Primary MCC? Moderator: Vern Sondak (Moffitt) Participants: Dan Coit (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and Kevin Emerick (MGH) |
| Closing Session | |
| 12:10pm | Meeting Highlights & Future Directions | Paul Nghiem, Jürgen Becker, Jim DeCaprio |
12:20 | Closing Remarks | Ann Silk, Isaac Brownell, Krista Lachance, Rima Kulikauskas |
| 12:25pm | Adjournment of Educational Activity - Attendees will receive a bag lunch |
Accommodations:
The Pennyweight Hotel Boston is offering a special group rate for attendees:
- $299.00 USD per night
- Last Day to Book: Monday, March 30, 2026
Click here to book your group rate for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Symposium or call the hotel directly at 617-557-9955 and ask for the "Center for Cutaneous Oncology" group.
Additional suggested hotels (within walking distance of the venue):
Course Director
Ann W. Silk, MD, MS
Symposium Co-Chair,
Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Planning Committee
Isaac Brownell, MD, PhD
Symposium Co-Chair,
Dermatology Branch, NIAMS, NIH
Justine V. Cohen, DO
Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
James A. DeCaprio, MD
Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Danielle N Margalit, MD, MPH
Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
David Miller, MD, PhD
Departments of Medicine and Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Manisha Thakuria, MD
Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Sophia Shalhout, PhD
Otolaryngology,
Massachusetts Eye & Ear;
Harvard Medical School
Stewart Landers, JD
Patient Advocate,
Senior Technical Advisor and Director of Boston Health Services,
JSI Research & Training Institute
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Mass General Brigham and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Mass General Brigham is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team
Credit Designation Statements
AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
Mass General Brigham designates this live activity for a maximum of 11.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Available Credit
- 11.50 ABIM Medical Knowledge
- 11.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 11.50 Participation
Price
Tuition Type | Early Bird | Regular Tuition |
| Patient Advocate | $200 | $250 |
| Trainee/Early Career Faculty (first two years) | $200 | $250 |
| Allied Health Professionals (RN, NP, PA, etc.) | $200 | $250 |
| Physician/Faculty | $400 | $500 |
| Pharma/Biotech Employee | $600 | $700 |
Cancellation Policy:
Registrations cancelled on or before March 30, 2026 will be refunded, less a $50 administrative fee. Registrations cancelled after March 30, 2026 will not be refunded.
Contact [email protected] if you require assistance in cancelling your online registration.