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Possible retroviral etiology of human breast cancer
Abstract:
Since the discovery in the early 1980s that retroviruses are pathogenic to man, the mouse mammary tumor viruses (MMTVs) received great attention. Studies of MMTVs allowed considerable insights into the mechanisms at work in breast tumorigenesis. MMTVs are essentially insertional mutagenes. Numerous oncogenes have been found altered by MMTVs, either specific for MMTVs or not. However, despite considerable attempts, the involvement of MMTVs in human breast cancer remains questionable. Yet a retroviral etiology of human breast cancer cannot be discarded since retroviruses are good candidates to play a role in diseases which, like human breast cancer, appear either as sporadic or inherited. Due to their replication cycle, retroviruses can be propagated not only as infectious agents able to freely infect host cells, but also as cellular genes which can be passed on to progeny. It is suggested here to search for a new human retrovirus in sporadic breast cancer, using the techniques which led to the isolation of human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1). Indeed, finding an infectious retrovirus in sporadic cases could lead, via the c-DNA probes derived from it, to testing the hypothesis that the inherited form of human breast cancer may result from the action of retroviral genes integrated in the germ line.
Insights
Researchers propose searching for novel human retroviruses in sporadic breast cancer. This could clarify the role of retroviral genes in both sporadic and inherited forms of the disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mouse mammary tumor viruses (MMTVs) have provided insights into breast cancer mechanisms, acting as insertional mutagens.
- Despite MMTV research, a direct retroviral link to human breast cancer remains unconfirmed.
- Retroviruses are plausible agents in sporadic and inherited diseases due to their infectious and heritable nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of novel human retroviruses in sporadic breast cancer.
- To explore retroviral involvement in both sporadic and inherited human breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Utilize techniques similar to those used for isolating human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1).
- Search for infectious retroviruses in sporadic breast cancer cases.
- Develop complementary DNA (cDNA) probes from any identified retroviruses.
Main Results:
- The study proposes a methodology rather than presenting experimental results.
- The abstract outlines a hypothesis to be tested regarding retroviral involvement.
Conclusions:
- A retroviral etiology for human breast cancer, both sporadic and inherited, warrants further investigation.
- Identifying infectious retroviruses in sporadic cases could validate the role of germline-integrated retroviral genes in inherited breast cancer.