Further evidence for viral etiology of human melanoma

Malignant Melanoma: A Review

“…A third possible cause of malignant melanoma which might be considered in the familial form of this disease is the recent evidence that viruses may cause malignant melanoma in man (Birkmayer et al, 1972; Balda and Birkmayer. 1973; Balda et al, 1973). An infectious cause for malignant melanoma in man is supported by the work of Spitler (1975) who found that both related and non‐related individuals living with patients who develop melanoma have a higher prevalence of anti‐melanoma cell‐mediated immunologic responses than do members of the general population.…”

“…A third possible cause of malignant melanoma which might be considered in the familial form of this disease is the recent evidence that viruses may cause malignant melanoma in man (Birkmayer et al, 1972; Balda and Birkmayer. 1973; Balda et al, 1973).…”

The role of human endogenous retroviruses in melanoma

“…HERVs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human diseases including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia and certain cancers 28,29 . Regarding skin pathology, there is evidence to suggest that HERVs are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, 30,31 psoriasis, 30–35 CD30‐positive lymphoproliferative disorders 36 and melanoma 37–54 . Putative pathogenic mechanisms for HERVs include disrupting host genes at their integration site, suppressing or stimulating immune responses or pathogenesis induced by expression of accessory proteins such as Rec and Np9 27,29 .…”

“…Following the discovery of VLPs in hamster melanoma, 70 evidence was sought for a viral aetiology of human melanoma. RVLPs were first detected in human melanoma by electron microscopy (EM) and biochemically in the 1970s 37–43 . Initially, VLPs resembling C‐type virions, and RT activity, were found in lymph node metastases of human melanoma, 37 and subsequently more detailed studies followed.…”