Detection of SV40 Large T Antigen in Malignant Lymphomas

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The association of simian virus 40 (SV40) with certain types of human cancers, including malignant lymphomas, has been a topic of interest for some time. Although the virus is distributed worldwide, its incidences vary according to the specific types of tumors, and the epidemiological areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of SV40 in malignant lymphomas among Korean patients. METHODS: One hundred seventy three cases of malignant lymphomas were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for SV40 large T antigen (TAg), using an extremely sensitive, tyramide based, catalyzed signal amplification method. RESULTS: From 158 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including 115 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, and 15 Hodgkin's lymphomas, none of the cases were positive for SV40 TAg. CONCLUSIONS: SV40 does not appear to be related to the pathogenesis of malignant lymphomas among Koreans.