No detection of SV40 DNA in mesothelioma tissues from a high incidence area in Sweden
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008.
Anticancer Research. 2007 Nov-Dec;27(6B):4159-61. [Link]
Lundstig A, Dejmek A, Eklund C, Filinic I, Dillner J.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden. annika.lundstig@med.lu.se
Abstract
Simian virus 40 (SV40), a polyoma virus of the rhesus macaque was discovered in 1960 as a contaminant of human polio vaccines produced in monkey cells. A number of studies have reported the detection of SV40 nucleotide sequences in human tumors, mainly mesotheliomas, but the reports have not been consistent. The presence of SV40 in 26 consecutive cases of malignant mesothelioma of biphasic type was investigated using a SV40 quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a sensitivity of 10 copies of viral DNA per sample. All the samples were also tested for amplifiability using a real-time PCR for the beta-globin gene. Eighteen tumors were amplifiable, but none contained SV40 DNA. The results do not support an association between mesothelioma and SV40.
Glossary
- gene
- a segment of DNA that contains information on hereditary characteristics such as hair color, eye color, and height, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases. Women who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations (defects) have an inherited tendency to develop breast cancer.
- detection
- finding disease. Early detection means that the disease is found at an early stage, before it has grown large or spread to other sites. Note many forms of cancer can reach an advanced stage without causing symptoms. Mammography can help to find breast cancer early, and the PSA blood test is useful in finding prostate cancer.
- DNA
- (dee-ok-see-ri-bo-new-CLAY-ic) abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA holds genetic information on cell growth, division, and function.
- virus
- very small organisms that cause infections. Viruses are too small to be seen with a regular microscope. They reproduce only in living cells.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
