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Oncogenic conversion of normal cells by inactivated herpes simplex viruses
Author(s) -
Rapp Fred,
Duff Ronald
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197410)34:8+<1353::aid-cncr2820340804>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - virology , medicine , herpes simplex virus , virus
There are two genetically distinct subtypes of herpes simplex virus (HSV) endemic in human populations. Both Type 1 and Type 2 viruses induce several pathologic conditions and have now been associated with a variety of human neoplasias by serologic techniques. Support for the oncogenic potential of these viruses derives from several observations: 1) Seroepidemiologic studies have consistently linked an increased incidence of neutralizing antibodies to HSV‐2 with the presence of cervical carcinoma; 2) The presence of antibody to early (non‐virion) herpesvirus antigens has been reported in patients with invasive cervical carcinoma and eight other neoplasias of the oral and genital area, but not in normal cases; 3) The presence of HSV‐2 antigens in exfoliating cervical carcinoma cells, recovery of a virus identified immunologically as HSV‐2 from virus‐free tumor cells maintained in culture, and the detection of a fragment of the HSV‐2 genome in cells from one cervical tumor associates the virus with chromosomes of neoplastic cells; 4) Equally significant are the multiple demonstrations that HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 can transform hamster, mouse, and human cells in culture to cells that can then establish permanent lines, contain virus nucleic acids, and express virus markers. These cells may be malignant when transplanted into histocompatible hosts. Taken together, these observations strongly associate herpes simplex viruses with a variety of human cancers and urge further study to resolve their role in etiology.