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Simian virus 40 and pleural mesothelioma in humans
H D Strickler1, J J Goedert, M Fleming
1Viral Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Abstract:
It has been reported that DNA of SV40, a virus of Asian macaques that is tumorigenic for rodents and can transform human cells in vitro, is present in pleural mesotheliomas and in several other cancers. To verify these observations, we tested paraffin sections from mesothelioma tissues of 50 patients for SV40 DNA using PCR with two separate sets of primers. The analytic sensitivity for detection of SV40 DNA was 1-10 genome copies. We also tested the specimens for beta-globin by PCR to assess the suitability of the specimen DNAs for amplification. beta-Globin amplification was detected in 48 of the 50 specimens, but SV40 DNA was not detected in any tumors, with either of two SV40 primer sets. Furthermore, sera from 34 additional patients with mesothelioma, 33 patients with osteosarcoma (another cancer reported to be SV40-related) and 35 controls were tested for SV40 antibodies by a plaque neutralization assay. The serological data, like the DNA results, did not support an association of SV40 with mesothelioma or with osteosarcoma; antibodies to SV40 were detected in three mesothelioma patients, in one osteosarcoma patient, and in one control. These findings call into question the association of SV40 with mesothelioma.
Insights
This study investigated the presence of Simian Virus 40 (SV40) DNA and antibodies in cancer patients. Researchers found no evidence of SV40 in mesothelioma or osteosarcoma tissues or sera, questioning its association with these cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Simian Virus 40 (SV40) has been implicated in human cancers, including mesothelioma.
- Previous reports suggested SV40 DNA presence in various human tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To verify the presence of SV40 DNA in mesothelioma tissues.
- To investigate SV40 antibody prevalence in mesothelioma and osteosarcoma patients.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect SV40 DNA in 50 mesothelioma tissue samples.
- Beta-globin PCR confirmed specimen suitability for amplification.
- Plaque neutralization assay tested for SV40 antibodies in sera from 34 mesothelioma patients, 33 osteosarcoma patients, and 35 controls.
Main Results:
- SV40 DNA was not detected in any of the 50 mesothelioma tissue samples using two different primer sets.
- Beta-globin was amplified in 48 out of 50 specimens, indicating DNA quality.
- SV40 antibodies were found in only three mesothelioma patients, one osteosarcoma patient, and one control.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence supporting the association of SV40 with mesothelioma or osteosarcoma.
- Results challenge previous claims regarding SV40's role in these human cancers.