Epstein Barr Virus and Breast Cancer
Abstract
Studies on the association of Epstein-Barr virus with Breast Carcinoma have reported conflicting results. They have in fact raised questions about a geographic variance in this association and the technical challenges of localizing the virus in tissue. We have addressed both these questions in our study. To look for a geographic variance, we analyzed breast carcinoma cases from four countries: USA (n=100), India (n=100), China (n=79) and Saudi Arabia (n=23). Each case was subjected to Conventional and Real-Time PCR with EBNA-1. PCR positive cases were further analyzed by EBER in-situ hybridization to localize the virus and a few cases were studied by Laser Microdissection (LMD). Our overall PCR positivity rate was 35-55% and did not exhibit any significant geographic variance. EBER in-situ confirmed the presence of the virus in the tumor cells in only four cases. The remaining cases were harboring the virus in the lymphoid cells infiltrating the tumor. LMD showed the presence of EBV in EBER positive as well as some negative cases (all PCR positive cases) but EBV could also be demonstrated in the fibrous tissue. Considering the entire spectrum of results obtained in this study we conclude that EBV does not play any major role in the pathogenesis of breast carcinoma.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA442940
Entities
People
- Kishor G. Bhatia
- Wing C. Chang
Organizations
- University of Nebraska Medical Center