Detection of bovine leukemia virus, Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus in breast cancer tissues of Egyptian patients

Abstract

Background

Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Many viruses have been linked to BC; namely, Human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Bovine leukemia virus (BLV). However, a causal role is yet to be established.

Objectives

To detect the prevalence of BLV, EBV and HPV sequences in BC tissue compared to BC-free tissue and correlate their presence with different pathological features of BC.

Subjects and methods

: A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 75 FFPE (formalin fixed paraffin embedded) blocks of BC tissues and 25 of BC-free tissues obtained from Alexandria Main University Hospital pathology department archive. Demographic, medical, pathological data were retrieved from patients’ archival records. Hormonal receptor status, Real-time PCR for viral detection and HPV genotyping were done. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. The Chi-square test, Fisher’s Exact correction and Monte Carlo simulation were used for quantitative variables.

Results

Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most predominant histologic type (85.3%). BLV, EBV and HPV were detected in (22.7% vs. 16%, 14.7% vs. 8%, 6.7% vs. 0%) BC vs. non-BC tissues respectively with HR HPV 16 detection. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and stage III were more commonly seen among tissues with positive viral detection vs. those which were negative (64.3% vs. 53% and 39% vs. 17% respectively). However, no single viral detection was found to be statistically significant in relation to clinicopathological parameters. Multiple viral co-existence was found in 18% of PCR positive cases which was significantly associated with younger age (P = 0.026).

Conclusion

Low rate of viral presence was found in BC tissues. Nevertheless, LVI and stage III were more commonly seen in tissues with positive viral detection. Moreover, a synergetic relation between multiple viral existence and BC development in young age could be possible yet to be verified.