Frequency and genome load of Epstein–Barr virus in 509 breast cancers from different geographical areas*

摘要: Since the few data exploring a possible association between Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and breast cancer are conflicting, we investigated this together with influences of geographical areas. 509 cancers were sampled from areas varying risks nasopharynx carcinoma (NPC) such as North Africa (Algeria Tunisia, high-risk area); southern France (Marseille, intermediate-risk northern Europe (northern France, Netherlands Denmark; low-risk areas). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) subregion EBV BamHIC encoding EBERs demonstrated that 31.8% tumours contained viral genome. No significant differences observed among However, positive samples showed higher loads genome in NPC high- than type 1 was dominant strain. In situ hybridization studies using a35S-labelled riboprobe for EBER1 laser capture microdissection, combined quantitative PCR, localization restricted to some tumour epithelial cell clusters. could not be detected stroma. Considering whole population covered, presence correlated age, menopausal status, tumour, size, nodal status or histological grade. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www. bjcancer.com