Gene study links virus to prostate cancer
A new virus has been found in men with prostate cancer, but scientists don't yet know if it causes the disease.
"We have made a very fascinating discovery never before seen in humans," Dr. Eric Klein of the Cleveland Clinic told reporters at a cancer symposium in San Francisco Friday. "But we have not proven this virus causes prostate cancer."
- INDEPTH: Prostate cancer
Klein's team found the virus in prostate tumour samples taken from men with a mutated gene, called HPC 1, which predisposes them to the disease.
The researchers used a DNA chip containing genetic sequences from thousands of viruses to screen the tumour samples.
The virus, tentatively called XMRV, was found in 45 per cent of the 20 men who had prostate cancer and two mutated copies of the gene.
Sixty-six other men had one copy or no copy of the mutation. Among them, the virus was found in only 1.5 per cent.
The normal form of the gene is thought to help defend against viruses.
Researchers will try to develop a diagnostic test to detect the virus in blood. They will also test if there is a link between the virus and prostate cancer, and see how common it is.
Just as a sexually-transmitted virus can cause cervical cancer, it's possible XMRV could also cause prostate cancer, the researchers say.