[Retrovirus D-induced antigen in human tumors]

Tissues of malignant and benign tumors from 254 patients were examined for the presence in them of a new, retrovirus D-associated antigen. Most frequently, the virus-induced antigen was present in pulmonary carcinomas (54.5%) and in large intestine tumors (25%). This antigen was detected almost with the same frequency (11%-12.5%) in fibroadenomas and mammary carcinomas, only in 8% of gastric tumors and very rarely in fibrous-cystic mastopathies (2.6%). No virus-induced antigen was found in tissues not involved in the cancer process or in tissues of normal subjects. Detection of the retrovirus D-associated antigen in tumor cells indicates the presence in them of this virus or its genome.