Association of Epstein-Barr virus with human mammary carcinoma. Pros and cons.

ABSTRACT

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with the development of different malignancies. In the last few years, EBV has been detected in a subset of breast tumors. The EBV genome was detected by PCR and Southern-blot analysis and identification of the infected cells was determined using different in situ methods. EBV has detected more frequently in steroid hormone receptors negative tumors, in high histological SBR grade tumors and furthermore, the EBV genome was also observed in metastatic lymph nodes, along with EBV detection in the primary tumor. Opposing results are discussed.