Detection of murine mammary tumor virus (MMTV) env gene-like sequences in breast cancer from Argentine patients
Melana, S.M.; Picconi, M.ía.A.; Rossi, C.; Mural, J.; Alonio, L.V.; Teyssié, A.él.; Holland, J.F.; Pogo, B.G.T.
Medicina 62(4): 323-327
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7680 PMID: 12325488 Document Number: 543106
In the last years research on the possible viral etiology of human breast cancer has been revised. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of a Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) env gene-like sequence in about 38% of breast cancers from American and Italian women; these sequences are generally absent in other tumors and in normal mammary tissue. In the present study we have analyzed the presence of a 250-bp sequence of the MMTV env gene in breast cancer biopsies from Argentine patients. The retroviral fragment was present in 31% (23/74) of the tumors, only in one normal mammary tissue and in none of the fibroadenomas analYzed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 46 cancer patients were also analyzed; the sequence was found in 17% (2/12) of the PBMC from env positive tumor patients and in 3% (1/34) of the env negatives. The results from Argentine samples are similar to those from USA and Italy, where the breast cancer incidence is alike. These findings support the hypothesis of a viral agent involved in the genesis of this neoplasia and encourage the continuation of these studies.