Abstract
Several different viruses have been proposed to play a role in breast carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of a subset of viruses in breast cancer tissue. We investigated the prevalence of 12 DNA viruses: EBV and CMV from the Herpesviridae family and SV40, BKV, JCV, MCV, WUV, KIV, LPV, HPyV6, HPyV7, and TSV from the Polyomaviridae family in 54 fresh frozen breast tumour specimens. Relevant clinical data and basic lifestyle data were available for all patients. The tissue samples were DNA extracted and real-time PCR assays were used for viral detection.The highest prevalence, 10% (5/54), was found for EBV. MCV, HPyV6, and HPyV7 were detected in single patient samples (2% each), while WUV, KIV, JCV, BKV, LPV, SV40, TSV and CMV were not detected in the 54 breast cancer specimens analysed here. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the potential role of viruses, and particularly EBV, in breast carcinogenesis.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide [1]
A number of studies have examined the role of different viruses with oncogenic potential such as human papillomavirus (HPV), mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV), simian virus 40 (SV40), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Bar virus (EBV) in breast cancer tissue [4,5,6]
Even though these viruses have been identified in varying prevalence in breast cancer tissue, there has so far not been any definitive evidence for a causal role of any of these viruses [4,7]
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide [1]. Only a small proportion of breast cancer cases, approximately 5%, are caused by hereditary mutations (such as BRCA1 and 2) [2], with the majority of breast cancers being sporadic or acquired in nature. A number of studies have examined the role of different viruses with oncogenic potential such as human papillomavirus (HPV), mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV), simian virus 40 (SV40), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Bar virus (EBV) in breast cancer tissue [4,5,6]. Even though these viruses have been identified in varying prevalence in breast cancer tissue, there has so far not been any definitive evidence for a causal role of any of these viruses [4,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
