Identifying how merkel cell polyomavirus infection can cause a lethal carcinoma

A benign virus normally found in the skin can lead to a type of rare, lethal skin cancer. Specifically, infection by the Merkel cell polyomavirus can lead to Merkel cell carcinoma in immune-compromised individuals. Researchers have now identified a type of skin cell as the target of the virus in humans and establishes a new way to investigate this type of oncogenic viral infection and identifies a potential therapeutic agent against this infection.