Incidence of HPVs, EBV, and MMTV-Like Virus in Breast Cancer in Qatar

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and mouse mammary tumor virus-like virus (MMTV-like virus) can be present and contribute to breast cancer development and progression. However, the role of these oncoviruses and their crosstalk in breast cancer is still unclear. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We explored the co-presence of high-risk HPVs, EBV, and MMTV-like virus in 74 breast cancer samples from Qatar using PCR. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We found the presence of HPV and EBV in 65% and 49% of our cancer sample cohorts; 47% of the samples are positive for both oncoviruses. The MMTV-like virus alone was detected in 15% of the samples with no significant association with clinicopathological features. The three oncoviruses were co-present in 14% of the cases; no significant association was noted between the co-presence of these viruses and the clinicopathological features. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Despite the presence of the oncoviruses, additional studies are necessary to understand their interactions in human breast carcinogenesis.