SV40 in non-Hodgkin lymphoma More from thelancet.com . . .
Key points
- The incidence and death rate of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has nearly doubled during the past 30 years, but the precise cause, although likely to be a virus, has remained elusive.
- Now, two studies from the USA implicate simian virus 40 (SV40) in the cause of this group of cancers.
- One research team found SV40 T antigen sequences in 42% of blood and tissue samples from people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma but found none in samples from people without non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other types of cancer.
- A second study, showed the presence of SV40 DNA in a similar proportion of tumours.
The incidence and death rate of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has nearly doubled during the past 30 years, but the precise cause, although likely to be a virus, has remained elusive. Now, two studies from the USA implicate simian virus 40 (SV40) in the cause of this group of cancers. One research team found SV40 T antigen sequences in 42% of blood and tissue samples from people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma but found none in samples from people without non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other types of cancer. A second study, showed the presence of SV40 DNA in a similar proportion of tumours. Paediatric oncologist David Malkin comments that "we can now move forward with confidence to define the molecular mechanisms by which these viruses contribute to human cancer".
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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