Abstract

MELANA, Stella M. et al. Detection of murine mammary tumor virus (MMTV) env gene-like sequences in breast cancer from Argentine patients. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2002, vol.62, n.4, pp.323-327. ISSN 0025-7680.

In the last years research on the possible viral etiology of human breast cancer has been revised. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of a Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) env gene-like sequence in about 38% of breast cancers from American and Italian women; these sequences are generally absent in other tumors and in normal mammary tissue. In the present study we have analyzed the presence of a 250-bp sequence of the MMTV env gene in breast cancer biopsies from Argentine patients. The retroviral fragment was present in 31% (23/74) of the tumors, only in one normal mammary tissue and in none of the fibroadenomas analized. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 46 cancer patients were also analyzed; the sequence was found in 17% (2/12) of the PBMC from env positive tumor patients and in 3% (1/34) of the env negatives. The results from Argentine samples are similar to those from USA and Italy, where the breast cancer incidence is alike. These findings support the hypothesis of a viral agent involved in the genesis of this neoplasia and encourage the continuation of these studies.

Keywords : breast cancer; retrovirus; viral oncogenesis; Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus.

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