Abstract
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an endemic herpes virus that reemerges in cancer patients enhancing oncogenic potential. HCMV infection is associated with certain types of cancer morbidity such as glioblastomas. HCMV, like all other herpes viruses, has the ability to remain latent within the body of the host and can contribute in chronic inflammation. To determine the role of HCMV in glioma pathogenesis, paraffin-embedded blocks from glioma patients (n = 50) and from benign meningioma patients (n = 30) were obtained and evaluated by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction for the evidence of HCMV antigen expression and the presence of viral DNA. We detected HCMV antigen and DNA for IEI-72, pp65, and late antigen in 33/36, 28/36, and 26/36 in glioblastoma multiforme patients whereas 12/14, 10/14, and 9/14 in anaplastic astrocytoma patients, respectively. Furthermore, 84% of glioma patients were positive for immunoglobulin G (IgG) compared to 72.5% among control samples (P = 0.04). These data indicate the presence of the HCMV virus in a high percentage of glioma samples demonstrating distinct histopathological grades and support previous reports showing the presence of HCMV infection in glioma tissue. These studies demonstrate that detection of low-levels of latent viral infections may play an active role in glioma development and pathogenesis.
Highlights
Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) represent about 2% of all cancers [1] and gliomas are the most common tumors of this system
In the present study, we investigated the expression represented by early (IEI-72), mid, and late Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) antigens in different grades of Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma in Iraqi patients
We noticed no significant difference in the expression of these proteins between GBMs and anaplastic astrocytomas
Summary
Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) represent about 2% of all cancers [1] and gliomas are the most common tumors of this system. Gliomas account for almost 80% of primary malignant brain tumors [2]. In Iraq, CNS tumors are the fifth most common tumor in adults and the second most common in children [4]. These tumors are the most difficult to cure. The total surgical removal of the affected part of the organ, which is used with other cancers, cannot be applied to cure brain tumors because each region of the brain has a vital function [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
