New research found that Kaposi’s sarcoma virus is related to the development of Merkel cell carcinoma which represents dangerous form of skin cancer. During the research, scientist were able to isolate Merkel cell polymavirus which has been found to be related to cancer in animal studies.

This study is of great importance because it’s first one that found link between polyomavirus and human tumor. Some previous studies found no correlation between this virus and human cancers.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a kind of skin cancer that can progress really fast and develops from nerve cells and very quickly invades other tissues and organs. People who are most likely to suffer from this type of cancer are the ones who are immune – suppresses, for example the ones that take drugs to prevent rejection after transplantation and AIDS patients.

Statistics say that survival rate is about 50% and progression of this disease is very rapid. During the study it was found that many people can carry this virus but never develop cancer. Researchers hope that these new findings will help to improve disease management and possibly prevent AIDS.