Papovavirus-related RNA sequences in human neurogenic tumours.

Thirty-two human brain tumours were investigated for the presence of papovavirus-related RNA sequences. Radiolabelled viral DNAs isolated from SV40, BKV, HDV, and BPV were hybridized in-situ on to tumour kryostat sections under conditions that detect complementary RNA. SV40-related RNA was detectable in 34% of all tumours tested but was not found in normal human brain tissue. SV40-positive tumours included 1/1 angiofibroma, 1/4 astrocytomas, 2/4 metastatic brain tumours, 1/1 melanoma, 3/7 meningiomas, 2/4 neurinomas, 1/2 oligodendrogliomas. Bovine papilloma virus-, BKV-, and HDV-related RNAs were absent from all tissues tested. The presence of SV40-related nucleic acids in a large number of human neurogenic tumours may reflect a viral involvement in the etiology of these tumours.