Comparative transcriptional profiling of human merkel cells and merkel cell carcinoma

International audienceMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that is predominantly caused by infection by the Merkel cell polyomavirus. The cell of origin for MCC is still debated because conflicting data suggest that MCC cells could be derived from Merkel cells (MCs) [1] or their precursors [2]. aggressive carcinoma characteristically occurs on sun-exposed areas of elderly white and immunosupressed patients, with approximately 50% of all tumors occuring on the face and neck and 40% in the extremities [3]. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved