Moreover, LT, in conjunction with the ST antigen, further disrupts cellular checkpoints by targeting both pRB and p53 genes, leading to chromosomal instability and mutation accumulation, which drive MCC progression (Pedersen et al., 2024; Kellogg et al., 2022; Helmbold et al., 2009). The gene discussed is RB1; the disease is Merkel cell skin cancer.