Virological studies of malignant tumours of the urogenital system

Tumours of the urogenital system were investigated to clarify an eventual virus-tumour connection. From 105 tumours virus antigens were found in 57 cases by immunofluorescent method, mainly with serum raised against the oncogenic type 12 adenovirus. Virus antigens were also present in peripheral lymphocytes of some patients. Occasionally electron microscopy revealed adeno-, herpes and C-type virus particles. In patient sera, antiviral antibodies were shown often and in high titre especially against adenovirus type 12 early non-virion antigens. Herpesvirus antigens were found in 6 cases among 40 prostate hypertrophy control patients, and in 2 among 15 non-tumourous specimens.