The prevalence of Human Mammary Tumor (HMTV) sequences in Breast carcinoma tissues and its association with the P53 expression in Basrah Province

Abstract

Background Although it has previously been revealed that a virus related to Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) is found in some human breast tumors, their causal role in oncogenesis is still unclear. Aim The purpose of present study is to detect HMTV (MMTV-like) in breast tumor tissues from women in Basrah province who have primary malignant and benign breast tumors, as well as to analyze the rate of concordance translational expression of the P53 with HMTV in breast tissues. Methodology The presence of env gene of HMTV in breast tumors tissue (FFPT) samples of 60 women with primary breast cancers was identified using a TaqMan probe by Real time PCR method. Twenty specimens from benign breast tumors’ were used as control group. The expression of P53 was examined by immunohistochemical staining technology. From the patients' reports, information such as their name, age, histological and molecular types of BC, and tumor grades were recorded. Data was analyzed using the Chi square and Fisher's exact test. Results The Human Mammary Tumor provirus was found in 15 (25 %) of breast carcinoma samples and 8 (40 %) of benign breast tumor samples. But, there was no statistical significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). In a total of 80 samples of malignant and benign tumors, the expression level of p53 was 55 % and 15%, respectively. Reduced P53 expression was statistically associated with the prevalence of HMTV infection, with a significant difference (P value =0.031). Conclusion HMTV provirus were found in Basrah women with breast primary malignant and benign tumors and significantly associate with loss expression of p53. Further studies of large numbers of cases is required to investigate the etiology and association of this virus infection with carcinogenic development.