Polyomavirus BK and prostate cancer: a complex interaction of potential clinical relevance

摘要: Several studies associating BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) and prostate cancer (PCa) suggested that this virus may exert its oncogenic activity at early stages of development. The BKPyV oncogene, the large T antigen (LTag), has frequently been detected in areas proliferative inflammatory atrophy, which is considered a precursor lesion leading to prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia overt PCa. In recently updated systematic review, presence was significantly higher PCa tissues than healthy control tissues, providing an indication for link between infection risk. addition, recent original investigations highlighted association expression clinical course For example, by studying immune responses elicited against LTag, significant LTag positive lesions peculiar regulatory profiling observed patients with evidence disease recurrence after surgical radical prostatectomy. Lastly, study carried out larger cohort undergoing prostatectomy revealed IgG response as independent predictor recurrence. Although full picture mechanisms potentially responsible involvement not available yet, continuing work on topic should help refine potential role patients, perhaps revealing unsuspected associations disease.