Viral infections in prostate carcinomas in Chilean patients

BACKGROUND: A few viruses have been detected in prostate cancer, however their role in the development of this malignancy has not been determined. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence and functionality of human papillomavirus (HPV) and polyomaviruses (BKPyV and JCPyV) in prostate carcinomas in Chilean patients. METHODS: Sixty-nine primary prostate carcinomas were analyzed for the presence of HPV, BKPyV and JCPyV using standard polymerase chain reaction protocols. In addition, when samples were positive for HPyV, large T antigen (TAg) transcripts were analyzed using reverse transcriptase PCR. RESULTS: HPV and JCPyV were not detected in any specimens (0/69, 0 %); whereas, BKPyV was detected in 6/69 PCas (8.7 %). We did not find a statistically significant association between the presence of BKPyV and age (p = 0.198) or Gleason score (p = 0.268). In addition, 2/6 (33 %) BKPyV positive specimens showed detectable levels of TAg transcripts. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between HPV or JCPyV presence and prostate cancer development. The presence of BKPyV in a small subset of prostate carcinomas in Chilean patients could indicate that this virus plays a potential role in prostate cancer development and requires further investigation.