TUMOR-SPECIFIC EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH LEIOMYOSARCOMA IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS NEGATIVE INDIVIDUALS

BACKGROUND. Recent studies have suggested that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with leiomyosarcoma in children with human immunod eficiency virus (HIV) and in organ transplant recipients. To determine whether EBV is associated with leiomyosarcoma in HIV negative patient s, the authors examined resected leiomyosarcomas for EBV and HIV. METH ODS. Twenty-four leiomyosarcomas were studied and their diagnosis conf irmed on pathologic review. From these specimens DNA was isolated. Tum or samples were analyzed for EBV and HIV using a polymerase chain reac tion (PCR) technique followed by gel electrophoresis and Southern blot analysis. DNA from an EBV-infected human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line and peripheral blood from an HIV positive patient were used as positi ve controls for the presence of EBV and HIV, respectively. Immunohisto chemistry was performed using an antibody to Epstein-Barr nuclear anti gen. RESULTS. HIV was not present in any of the patients analyzed. EBV DNA was detected in tumor tissue; however, 80 cycles of PCR were used before EBV sequences were detected. Therefore, the data indicate that tumor tissue was not infected with EBV. The positive results observed after 80 cycles of PCR were likely due to infiltrating lymphocytes. I mmunohistochemistry confirmed the lack of active or latent EBV infecti on in tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS. The results indicate that EBV is not a ssociated with sporadic leiomyosarcoma in HIV negative patients. There fore, the biology of leiomyosarcoma associated with HIV may be substan tially different from the more common sporadic form. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.