Research suggests that infection and inflammation may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Gammaretroviruses have been found to cause cancer in animal cells. Now research reports that the XMRV (xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus) retrovirus was discovered in human prostate cancer cells. This finding can aid the development of prostate cancer diagnostic tests, antiviral treatments and viral prevention.
The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigated the association of XMRV with prostate malignant cells. Researchers at the University of Utah and Columbia University analyzed tissue samples from 233 cases of prostate cancers and 101 controls with BPH (benign prostate hypertrophy) .
The researchers found an association of XMRV infection with aggressive prostate cancer tumors. XMRV protein was found in 27 percent of malignant cells compared with 6 percent of the controls. The MRV proteins were primarily expressed in malignant epithelial cells, suggesting that viral infection may be linked to tumor formation.
"Our observations provide evidence for an association of XMRV with malignant cells and with more aggressive tumors," the study authors conclude.
These results suggest that a cause of prostate cancer may be an infectious agent. Other cancers caused by viral infection include cervical cancer and lymphoma.
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About 90% of all men will experience some signs of BPH by age 80. Furthermore, prostate cancer is a common cancer for men in the US.
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