The Retrovirus XMRV Is not Directly Involved in the Pathogenesis of Common Types of Lymphoid Malignancy

Abstract

Background: A novel retrovirus, xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), has been detected in prostate cancer samples and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition, the virus has been identified in PBMCs from healthy controls. These data suggest that XMRV is circulating in the human population. XMRV is closely related to murine leukemia viruses, which cause lymphoid malignancies in mice. The aim of this study was to determine whether XMRV is directly associated with common forms of human lymphoma or leukemia.Methods: DNA samples from 368 patients with lymphoid malignancies and 139 patients with benign lymphadenopathy or other malignant disease were screened for XMRV, using three specific and sensitive quantitative PCR assays.Results: XMRV was not detected in any sample using any of the three assays. Conclusions:The data suggest that this virus is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of common types of lymphoid malignancy and that XMRV is not a prevalent blood borne infection, at least in the United Kingdom.Impact: There is no evidence that XMRV is associated with lymphoid malignancies, and further studies should resolve inconsistencies in results of studies examining XMRV prevalence. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 20(10); 2232-6. Ó2011 AACR.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly US adults

“…[15][16][17] We found no association between CFS and prostate cancer (OR ¼ 0.99, 95% CI ¼ 0.84-1.18, P ¼ .95), which would argue against a role of XMRV in either CFS or prostate cancer. Of interest, in a recent study in the United Kingdom, 43 XMRV was not detected in tumor tissue from patients with NHL, including cases of DLBCL. Finally, we did not find an association between CFS and risk of brain tumors, and thus we failed to support findings from prior ecological studies.…”

Infection of Xenotransplanted Human Cell Lines by Murine Retroviruses: A Lesson Brought Back to Light by XMRV

“…Despite this, the possibility of a viral cause to PCa proved to be an exciting prospect, prompting follow-up studies in PCa as well as other diseases. Studies exploring the possibility of XMRV involvement in different cancers, autoimmune diseases, HIV, and even autism were reported, with differing results (McCormick et al, 2008; Barnes et al, 2010; Cornelissen et al, 2010; Jeziorski et al, 2010; Satterfield et al, 2010; Balada et al, 2011; Gray et al, 2011; Lintas et al, 2011; Schmitt et al, 2011; Tang et al, 2011; Waugh et al, 2011; Maggi et al, 2012). Of particular concern was the detection of XMRV in sera collected from patients with CFS (a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by persistent fatigue) as well as several healthy controls (Lombardi et al, 2009) (the Lombardi et al reference appeared in an October 2009 issue of Science , and was fully retracted by the editors in December 2011).…”

XMRV and prostate cancer—a 'final' perspective

“…24–35 Of particular note, a report of the detection of XMRV in blood cells from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) appeared in the journal Science in October 2009. 36 This paper reported the detection of both XMRV DNA and proteins in patient samples, and infectious XMRV could be isolated from these samples by exposure of permissive uninfected cells to plasma or peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with CFS.…”