Detection of RNA complementary to herpes simplex virus in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

Biopsy specimens from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were examined by in situ hybridisation for evidence of RNA complementary to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, HSV type 2, and adenovirus type 2. RNA complementary to HSV was found in 66% of carcinomas and 33% of non-malignant lesions from other patients. In a further study with internally paired controls, RNA complementary to HSV was found in 53% of carcinoma biopsy specimens but in no biopsy specimens of normal oral mucosa from the same patients. RNA complementary to HSV was found in over 50% of oral squamous cell carcinomas.