Frequency of Epstein–Barr Virus DNA in Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue of Patients with Ductal Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Ductal carcinoma is one of the most common breast cancer (BrC) among the women in the world.<br />Several factors may involve in establishment of breast cancer. The role of viral infections have been investigated in<br />BrC, Among them the association of Epstein Barr virus have been reported in the patients with breast cancer type<br />ductal carcinoma. Thus this study was conducted to evaluate the rate of Epstein Barr virus in women with breast cancer<br />type ductal carcinoma. Material and methods: A total of 72 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks samples<br />were collected from 37 (51.38%) women with breast cancer type ductal carcinoma and 35 (48.61%) samples of breast<br />with fibro adenoma as control group. The DNA was extracted for all the samples. The detection of EBNA 3C EBV<br />DNA was done by nested PCR. The results of positive were sequenced to confirm PCR product and determine EBV<br />genotypes. Results: About 10/37 (27.02%) samples of ductal breast carcinoma were showed positive for EBNA 3C<br />EBV DNA while 4/35 (11.42%) of fibro adenoma were positive for EBNA 3C EBV DNA (p= 0.095). Randomly 7<br />PCR products were sequenced and the results of sequencing EBNA 3C shows, the detected EBVDNA were type 1<br />EBV type. Conclusion: This study shows high prevalence of 27.02% EBV DNA type 1 was found in formalin-fixed<br />paraffin-embedded tissue of Patients with ductal breast carcinoma. The outcomes of this study suggesting that EBV<br />might have a significant role in breast cancer in Ahvaz city, south west region of Iran. However the expression of EBV<br />oncoproteins ,EBNA1, LMP1, and LMP2 require to be determined with ductal carcinoma cells. About 72.97% breast<br />samples showed negative for EBVDNA. The role other viruses including Human cytomegalovirus, papilloma viruses<br />and Merkel viruses are required to be investigated in further studies.