Reply: Antibody levels against BK virus and prostate, kidney and bladder cancers in the EPIC-Oxford cohort
2006
Antibody Levels Against BK Virus and Cancer
Sample size: 9
publication
Evidence: low
Author Information
Author(s): Newton R, Coursaget P, Roberts I S D
Primary Institution: University of York
Hypothesis
Is there a link between BK virus antibodies and prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers?
Conclusion
The study found no evidence that BK virus antibodies are associated with the cancers studied.
Supporting Evidence
- Previous studies have shown that elevated antibody levels are found in cancers related to other viruses.
- None of the prostate cancer samples tested positive for the viral protein associated with BK virus.
- Only one unusual case reported SV40 T antigen in tumor tissue, but it was in an immunosuppressed patient.
Takeaway
The researchers looked for a virus in cancer patients but didn't find it, suggesting it might not be related to their cancers.
Methodology
The study used immunohistochemistry to test prostate cancer tissue for viral proteins.
Limitations
The sample size for bladder cancer was very small, with only nine cases.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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