Detection of Polyomaviral Large T Antigen in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Carcinoma Tissues

Background: The role of infectious agents in prostate cancer development has been considered for many years. Polyomaviruses are suspected to be related to human malignancies and they have been frequently detected from various human cancers. Aim: This study was performed to investigate presence of large t antigen encoded by Merkel Cell polyomavirus (MCV), JC polyomavirus (JCV), BK polyomavirus (BKV) and Simian Virus 40 (SV40) in prostate carcinoma and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) tissues. Material and Methods: 20 human BPH and 6 human prostate carcinoma samples (from archival formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues) were collected and immunohistochemically examined for presence of large t antigen encoded by mentioned polyomaviruses. Results: The obtained results indicated presence of large t antigen encoded by SV40, BKV and/or JCV in 40% (8/20) and 50% (3/6) of examined BPH and prostate cancer tissues respectively. However, MCV large t antigen was not detectable in the mentioned tissues. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate probable contribution of SV40, BKV and/or JCV in development of BPH and prostate carcinoma. However, to create a relation between these viruses and the mentioned diseases, further in-depth investigations on protein expression and localization of these polyomaviruses in normal and diseased prostate tissues seem to be required. In addition, our findings propose no association between MCV and these diseases.