[New antigens induced by herpes simplex virus in human tumors]

Tissues of malignant tumors of the genitalia (cervix, uterus body, ovary) contain a specific antigen associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) identical with the antigen of the infected cells. The virus-induced antigen was detected in tissues of cervical carcinoma in 35% of cases, in 15% of tumors of the corpus uteri and in 13% of ovary tumors. HSV-2 was isolated from pathologically altered cervical carcinoma cells in 2 out of 56 cases examined. These facts indicate the presence of HSV-2 genetic information in cells of some tumors. No virus-induced antigen was found in any of the 7 specimens of normal nontumorous tissue examined.