Cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus in Breast Cancer
Several cancers can be caused by viruses, and it is known that a virus can cause breast cancer in mice. It has been suggested that delayed exposure (in adulthood rather than in childhood) to a common virus such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) may cause breast cancer in humans. Our previous research supported the hypothesis that higher CMV antibody levels (as a marker of delayed exposure to CMV) are associated with breast cancer. Here we will look at CMV DNA in breast cancer as evidence of CMV’s involvement in breast cancer development. As in our previous research, we will investigate Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as well as CMV. Finding an association for CMV but not for EBV would strengthen our findings because it is unlikely that bias could cause a spurious association for CMV but not EBV, because the viruses are similar and are similarly transmitted. Our proposed study will be the first to compare breast cancer tissue with paired normal breast tissue using a technique called quantitative PCR (QPCR), which allows measurement of the amount of CMV genetic material in tissue (rather than just the presence of CMV).
Logan is a cancer geneticist and the current Associate Dean Research, at the University of Otago Christchurch. His research focuses on understanding the impact of genetic changes on health. After completing post-doctoral training in Australia, and returning to the University of Otago, his research programme was significantly strengthened by being awarded a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship (Health Research Council) followed by a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship (Royal Society Te Apārangi).
He is an invited member of several international groups tasked with improving protocols for genetic testing around the world. This work includes developing RNA diagnostic guidelines for both the clinical and research setting, and providing expert advice about the implementation of these guidelines and the interpretation of genetic test results. In collaboration with multiple international consortia, he has also contributed to and led some of the largest genetic association studies to discover inherited DNA copy number changes that increase or decrease susceptibility to cancer.