XMRV virus found in 25% of breast cancer samples says U. of Utah research team

World International Property Organization ^ | November 18, 2010 | Ila Ramnaresh Singh (lead inventor)

[Seizethecarp]

[0003] The present inventors discovered that Xenotropic murine leukemia-related retrovirus (XMRV) has a strong link with human cancer, including prostate cancer and breast cancer. XMRV may also be associated with cervical cancer, hematologic malignancies, including lymphomas and leukemias, and non-cancerous conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and other neuroimmune diseases. This disclosure describes a series of methods to detect XMRV infection, and for use of that information in the diagnosis

[0109] Additionally, 178 cases of breast cancer were examined for the presence of XMRV using the described methods. Approximately 25% of breast cancers contained either XMRV proviral DNA sequences or XMRV proteins. The XMRV proteins were seen exclusively in the malignant breast epithelium (Figure 11). Adjacent benign epithelium or stroma did not contain XMRV.

[Seizethecarp]

Ila Singh at the University of Utah has apparently completed several studies (examination of cadaver tissues from all major organs) linking XMRV retrovirus to breast and prostate cancer as well as to CFS, but publication of those studies appears to be being held up pending completion of NIH studies that will clarify discrepancies between earlier NCI and CDC XMRV studies.

If XMRV retrovirus is confirmed by other studies to be associated with at least 25% of breast cancers, this would be very big news.

For more information see:

ME/CFS Forums:

http://www.mecfsforums.com/index.php/topic,3589.0.html

XMRV Global Action:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/xmrv-global-action/dr-singhs-xmrv-patents-ground-shaking-revelations-on-xmrv-breast-cancer-prostate/472237776796

Phoenix Rising:

http://www.forums.aboutmecfs.org/content.php?273-The-Singh-XMRV-Patent-The-Next-Cancer-for-XMRV-Prostate-Cancer-Results-Validated-Progress-on-CFS

[shibumi]

Why was XMRV developed in the first place?

(I take it that this is a man made virus?)

[Maigret]

No, it is a retrovirus and believed to be linked to mice.

[Redbob]

"(I take it that this is a man made virus?)"

Whatever makes you think that?
The article doesn't say that at all.

But before anyone gets too excited about this "discovery," let's wait until a reputable medical researcher confirms it, and reports it in a peer-reviewed journal.

[Dan(9698)]

They could have a climate scientist write a computer program that would confirm it.

[shibumi]

"Whatever makes you think that? The article doesn't say that at all."

I'm easily confused.

[Seizethecarp]

See the CFIDS web page for more info on XMRV. There is a comprehensive list of articles and scientific research on XMRV:

http://www.cfids.org/xmrv/default.asp

XMRV is only the third human retrovirus yet discovered and was first discovered in prostate cancer tissue in 2006. Then in October of 2009 it was linked to CFS by the National Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic and WPI (Whittemore Peterson Institute) in a published study and apparently also linked to breast cancer in as yet unpublished studies at the University of Utah.

The lead WPI researcher, Dr. Judy Mikovits, has been quoted as saying:

January 2010 (can't find exact link)

“We very much expect that some of the breast cancer incidence — we hypothesize that inflammatory breast cancer a lot like what we saw with the inflammatory prostate — but yes, it is a very real hypothesis because the incidence of breast cancer in young women that you’ve never used to see before, is rising at levels that suggest something environmental, and not necessarily genetic.”

This is what Mikovits said supposedly at the same time per this link:

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=15139

• The good news is, XMRV is the first simple human infectious retrovirus known – much simpler than HIV and apparently less changeable.

• All three known human retroviruses (HIV, HTLV, XMRV) are infectious, are associated with neurological diseases and cancer, increase susceptibility to opportunistic infections, and are not airborne like “contagious” diseases.

• Both HIV & HTLV have variants, some less pathogenic or with different profiles, so XMRV may well have variants also. Also geographic distribution might vary a lot. HTLV for example is common only in certain parts of the world.

• If you think you might be infected, follow the HIV precautions. Don’t donate blood or tissues, don’t share razors or toothbrushes to avoid blood transmission, use safe sexual techniques, and don’t breastfeed after six weeks when the maternal antibodies go away.

[shibumi]

Thanks for the enlightening info.

I’ll add that to my store house of sometimes useful knowledge.

[A Strict Constructionist]

I still think the cause is Dr. Mary’s Monkeys.

[fightinJAG]

Thanks for posting this.

[Seizethecarp]

You are welcome.

I am increasingly convinced that my own CFS, which has disabled me for 10 years, is caused by XMRV “rotting” my brain.

I am expecting major confirmation of XMRV in the national blood supply in the next few months and also replication of earlier studies linking XMRV to prostate and breast cancer as well as CFS and I will post the news if that occurs.

In support of my expectations see:

“Seeking New Blood-Supply Test”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704243904575630700111729446.html

“A Man From Whom Viruses Can’t Hide”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/science/23prof.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=health

“Gearing Up for the Big Search for XMRV”

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/11/17/gearing-up-for-the-big-search-for-xmrv/