Increasing evidence for involvement of SV40 in human cancer

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Butel, Janet S.

Affiliations: Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA

Note: [] Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Mail Stop BCM385, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Tel.: +1 713 798 3003; Fax: +1 713 798 5019; E-mail: jbutel@bcm.tmc.edu

Abstract: SV40, a small DNA virus, is known to possess strong oncogenic potential. Millions of people were exposed to SV40 as an unknown contaminant of some early poliovaccines. This article briefly summarizes the increasing evidence of the association of SV40 with certain types of human cancer, including mesotheliomas and brain tumors. Unanswered questions pertaining to the pathogenesis of human infections by SV40 and the functional role of the virus in tumor development are noted. It is concluded that SV40 should be considered a candidate human tumor virus and that vigorous efforts to clarify the role of the virus in human disease should be supported.

Journal: Disease Markers, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 167-172, 2001