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Simian virus 40 and its association with human lymphomas
Regis A Vilchez1, Janet S Butel
1Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Mail Stop BCM-385, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Current Oncology Reports
|August 5, 2003
Summary
Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a DNA tumor virus linked to various cancers in animals and humans. Research suggests SV40 may play a role in human lymphoma development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a DNA tumor virus known to cause cancer in animals.
- SV40 oncogenesis involves the viral large tumor antigen inactivating tumor suppressor proteins.
- SV40 is recognized as an emergent human pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence implicating SV40 in human lymphoma pathogenesis.
- To discuss future research directions for defining SV40's causative role in malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental and clinical data.
- Analysis of studies linking SV40 to human cancers.
- Examination of SV40 markers in human malignancies.
Main Results:
- SV40 induces brain cancers, mesothelioma, bone cancers, and lymphomas in animals.
- SV40 is associated with an increased risk of human brain cancers, mesothelioma, bone cancers, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Tumors induced by SV40 in animals share similarities with human malignancies containing SV40 markers.
Conclusions:
- SV40 may be functionally important in the development of certain human malignancies.
- The Institute of Medicine concluded SV40 infections could potentially cause cancer in humans.
- Further research is needed to definitively establish SV40's causative role in human lymphomas.