Breast cancer and cytomegalovirus

Clin Transl Oncol. 2020 Apr;22(4):585-602. doi: 10.1007/s12094-019-02164-1. Epub 2019 Jun 29.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether cytomegalovirus is causally associated with breast cancer and whether cytomegalovirus should be categorised as an oncogenic virus.

Methods: We undertook a review of published epidemiological and laboratory studies, using established causal criteria: Bradford Hill criteria to determine whether cytomegalovirus is associated with breast cancer; and Evans/Mueller criteria to determine whether cytomegalovirus should be categorised as an oncogenic virus.

Results: Although there are inconsistencies in the findings of published epidemiological and laboratory studies, these may be explained by factors such as: differences in timing of blood samples, differences in selection of cases and controls, or high cytomegalovirus seroprevalence among participants in the epidemiological studies; and, in the laboratory studies, differences in sample preparations, age of sample, whether or not paired breast cancer and normal breast tissue samples were used, differences in the tests, primers and/or antibodies used, differences in histological types of breast cancer studied, and/or features of the virus.

Conclusions: Overall, the results of published studies of cytomegalovirus and breast cancer suggest cytomegalovirus is a causal factor for at least some types of breast cancer. If the evidence for a link between cytomegalovirus and breast cancer continues to strengthen, further research could lead to: targeted screening; therapy using antiviral drugs; and, perhaps, primary prevention of a significant proportion of breast cancer. Vaccination against viruses has already been shown to be effective in preventing cervix and liver cancer; cytomegalovirus vaccines are already under development.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cytomegalovirus; Review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / etiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / virology*
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice