Involvement of a Human Endogenous Retrovirus in Breast Cancer
Abstract
Our overall goal is to determine whether human mammary tumor virus (HMTV) sequences, present as an endogenous retrovirus, are involved in a subset of human breast cancers. In studies completed for first specific aim, samples form a cohort (>200) of breast cancer and appropriate control patients were obtained. Tn studies under the second specific aim, we identified and sequenced HMTV nucleic acids in breast cancer tissue, control tissue, and blood of patients form our cohorts. Results form a subset of blinded blood samples found that blood from approximately 20% of controls and 70% of breast cancer patients were positive for HMTV sequences. The third specific aim was to construct DNA and cDNA libraries from tissues positive for HNTV proviurses. As this task ahs been accomplished by others (Pogo and Mason), we are focused on confirming the blinded PCR results in the entire cohort, which is nearly completed. The studies under specific aim four, to express HMTV proteins in an insect cell system, and to characterize the immunological reactions of breast cancer patients and controls against HMTV proteins, are in progress. If a definite link is established, HMTV will provide a target for vaccine development and breast cancer therapy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA422489
Entities
People
- Robert F. Garry
Organizations
- Tulane University of Louisiana