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SV 40 - Does this virus cause mesothelioma?
In early 1999 a debate about a virus called SV 40 and its presence in
certain tumors, briefly garnered media coverage.
Simian virus 40 (or SV 40) is a virus of monkey origin. It was a
contaminant of polio vaccines in the late 1950's and early 1960's because
the vaccines were grown on monkey kidneys and some of these monkeys were
carriers of SV 40.
SV 40 has been identified in mesothelioma tumors as well as in brain and
bone cancers, which led to theories about a possible relationship between
exposure to the virus and later development of mesotheliomas and other
cancers.
For example, in one study hamsters were injected intra-pleurally with a
type of SV 40. Over 50% developed
mesothelioma and all of them developed tumors. (American Journal of
Pathology: 142:5 1524-1533 by
Cicala, et al.)
However, a recent study (Thorax: 1999;54 (60-61) by Mulatero, Surentheran,
et al.) of stored mesothelioma
tumor samples did not support the hypothesis that SV 40 was related to
increasing incidences of
mesothelioma. And birth cohort studies in both the U.S. and Sweden show no
increase in risk of cancer
associated with exposure to the SV 40 contaminated polio vaccine.
Yet other studies suggest that the presence of SV 40 might lead to the
development of new therapies for cancer. (Journal of the National Cancer
Institute: 91(2):169-75 1999)
As our knowledge of genetics and tumor biology grows, we will develop new
treatments for mesothelioma,
but at the moment the possible role of SV 40 in either triggering or
treating mesothelioma is far from clear.
Regarding contamination of polio vaccines, the World Health Organization
issued an informative statement.
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