British Journal of Cancer , (16 February 2012) | doi:10.1038/bjc.2012.51
No evidence for the involvement of XMRV or MCV in the pathogenesis of
breast cancer
G Khan, PS Philip, M Naase and KMI Al Zarouni
Abstract
Background:
The aetiology of breast cancer remains elusive. A viral aetiology has
been proposed, but to date no virus has been conclusively demonstrated
to be involved. Recently, two new viruses, namely Merkel cell
polyomavirus (MCV) and xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related virus
(XMRV) have been identified and implicated in the pathogenesis of
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and familial form of prostate cancer,
respectively.
Methods:
We examined 204 samples from 58 different cases of breast cancer for
presence of MCV or XMRV by PCR. Samples consisted of both malignant
and non-malignant tissues. Additionally, we included 6 cases of MCC
and 12 cases of prostate cancer as potential controls for MCV and
XMRV, respectively.
Results:
All of the breast cancer samples examined were negative for both MCV
and XMRV. However, 4/6 MCC and 2/12 prostate cancer samples were found
to be positive for MCV and XMRV, respectively. Sequence analysis of
the amplified products confirmed that these sequences belonged to MCV
and XMRV.
Conclusion:
We conclude that there is no evidence for the involvement of MCV or
XMRV in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. What role these viruses
have in the pathogenesis of MCC and prostate carcinomas remains to be
demonstrated.
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