Our findings support the established viral aetiology of MCC, and describe, for the first time, an over-expression of DDR components in MCPyV-positive MCC, laying the basis for future studies aimed at investigating the contribution of this pathway to MCPyV-mediated carcinogenesis and exploring the plausible clinical implications of host DDR factors for the treatment of MCC. The gene discussed is DDR1; the disease is Merkel cell skin cancer.